Since there''s no ''exists?'' method for a has_many collection, is there an easier way to avoid adding duplicates to a collection? (I assume obj.items << item would add duplicates if repeatedly called.) Right now I do: category = Category.find_or_create_by_name(category_name) directory.categories << [ category ] if directory.categories.find(:first, :conditions=>[''category_id=?'', category.id]).nil? YUCK. Sure would be nice if there was a ''collection#exists?(id)'' or ''collection#exists?(obj)''. Joe -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.