Rails - Jan 2006 - Active Record Attributes using Dot Notation doesn''t work

I have been having some problems with accessing active record attributes 
using dot notation.  Some attributes work, others do not.  The attribute 
exists in the database (it is a smallint).  Using breakpointer and IRB I 
can see it in the active record:

irb(#<Transition:0x3900f48>):012:0> self
self
=> #<Transition:0x3900f48 
@__bp_file="./script/../config/../app/models/transition.rb", 
@__bp_line=61, @attributes={"name"=>"ChargeCC", 
"created_on"=>"2006-01-04 18:35:06",
"created_user"=>"wfe_admin",
"updated_on"=>"2006-01-04 18:35:06",
"lock_version"=>"0", "id"=>"33",
"trigger"=>"2", "description"=>nil,
"updated_user"=>"wfe_admin",
"workflow_id"=>"51", "time_limit"=>nil}>

When I attempt to access it via dot notation it shows as nil:

irb(#<Transition:0x3900f48>):013:0> self.trigger
self.trigger
=> nil

Using hash notation it''s there:

irb(#<Transition:0x3900f48>):014:0> self["trigger"]
self["trigger"]
=> 2

One other note.  I am accessing this record via a belongs_to/has_many 
relationship.  It is the parent. I am displaying the child in a view. 
The embedded ruby is asking for info on the parent, ie, 
"workitem.transition.trigger".

Any idea what is going on?

Thanks!

Stan Shore

-- 
Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.