title: Custom-built model class v Rails generated model class
body: <p>I'm new to Rails and am very keen to learn and understand it inside out. While I was doing a small example I created my own custom-built model class for which I wanted to have a form. I also wanted to apply all the basic validations on all attributes as well when user input the values through the form. But I could not find much help from Rails out-of-the-box features like it provides for ActiveRecords. </p>
  
  <p>The reason why I would like not to have an ActiveRecord and rather a simple custom-built model is that I don't want to persist it at all. In fact my object doesn't have anything to do with database.</p>
  
  <p>What is the best practice to build custom models classes, add validations to their attributes and associate them with appropriate views?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks a lot in advance for your help.</p>