From: Jordi <mumismo@...>
Date: 2007-11-12T11:00:55+09:00
Subject: Re: method names in 1.9

Summing it up:

- Surprising or not, sending messages is not the same that calling
methods in Ruby (there is  a real difference, see method_missing email
of Matthew in this thread).
- Honoring visibility is not the same that don't honoring it (obviously)

So, we can have potentially 4 operations in Ruby 1.8.x:

1.- Call method honoring visibility
2.- Call method not honoring visibility
3.- Send message honoring visibility
4.- Send message not honoring visibility

In Ruby 1.8.x ,  1 is implemented with "." and 4 is implemented with
"send". AFAIK, 2 and 3 are not implemented.
IMHO they don't need to!
The difference between sending a message and calling a method is so
subtle (in real Ruby implemented world) that most of the times can be
used like the honoring/not honoring pair of the same operation.

My personal opinion is make "." behave like "send" respect to
method_missing. In other words, move "." from 1 to 3. Then kill the
"call method" concept in Ruby. As I think that concept __is not
intended to exist__ in the language anyway.

Also I'd rename "send" for something more like "respond" as the object
is not sending but receiving, but that is much more of a personal
taste. :P

--
Jordi