[DIYGST]

I was replacing a ceiling fan it seemed like it was added after the house was built. I took the fan off and removed the circle mounting bracket / box for the fan and all it was a ceiling wall with a romex wire sticking out. I was under the impression you needed a electrical box, the fan box itself is almost like a electrical like box and it has a couple of wood screw holding it to a stud above the ceiling drywall. I was wondering this is to code or not?

 

[joecaption]

Got a picture of what you have?
There's at least a dozen exceptable ways to hang a ceiling fan.
http://homerepair.about.com/od/electricalrepair/ss/elec_box_ltg_3.htm
Does this look like what you have?