     # that the Backbone.js model is all set up.
     @bind 'change', => @_executeDerivations()
 
+  setupAssociations:  ->
+  setupConverters:    ->
+  setupDerivations:   ->
+
   # Helper method used by the association definition methods. Actually modifies the
   # assocation definition hash.
   _addAssociation: (name, model, type) ->
     @associations[name] = { model: model, associationType: type }
   
-  setupAssociations:  ->
-  setupConverters:    ->
-  setupDerivations:   ->
-
   # indicates that a given attribute is actually a Collection. Adds the correct settings to
   # the association hash.
   hasMany:   (name, collection) -> @_addAssociation(name, collection, 'hasMany')

    @derivations.unshift
      field: fieldName
      func: derivationFunction
  
  # Override the default Backbone.js set method to handle our added functionality.
  # Iterate through the attributes being set and:
  # * If the attribute name is one of the associations, set that as the attribute instead of

        else
          throw "The conversion function for #{attribute} is invalid; it must be a function."
    super

  # Override the default Backbone.js `toJSON` method to handle associations.
  toJSON: ->
    result = super
