[ruby-core:23260] Re: [Feature #666](Rejected) Enumerable::to_hash

Thank you for this explanation. If I understand correctly, you want methods
of Enumerable to remain as generic as possible and not assume anything of
the elements (besides being comparable in some instances). I find this very
reasonable indeed.

Would Array#to_hash be more appropriate, then? Array has methods that assum=
e
some structure on elements of arrays. In particular, #assoc and #rassoc mak=
e
the exact same kind of assumptions that #to_hash would make, and #transpose
too.

As for the name, I believe that either #to_hash or #to_h would be the most
appropriate names, and the choice between one or the other depending on if =
a
translation should occur automatically or not when calling Hash#replace and
Hash::[]. (I think these are the only two?)

If needed, I would be glad to reword this feature request for Array; it
would be even simpler since no block would be needed and the behaviour the
same as Hash::[]. I'm assuming that Hash::[] with an array of arrays is an
official feature even though it's not yet documented (as per #1385), right?

Thank you for your consideration,

Marc-Andr=E9

On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 11:43 PM, Yukihiro Matsumoto <[e-mail]>wr=
ote:

> Hi,
>
> In message "Re: [ruby-core:23253] Re: [Feature #666](Rejected)
> Enumerable::to_hash"
>     on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:52:54 +0900, trans <[e-mail]>
> writes:
>
> |I don't see why a corresponance in needed. It's simply a
> |transformation.
>
> #to_hash (or whatever name of the method) can only transform
> enumerable in certain format, e.g. enumerable of two-elements arrays.
> I think this is too much assumption for a method of Enumerable.
>
> OK, I admit we already have some methods with presumption, e.g.
> #sort, #min and #max to assume elements to be comparable, but their
> usefulness is proven in the history of the language.  Meanwhile, how
> often do we need #to_hash?  I haven't, at least.
>
> |I think the real problem lies in the name of the
> |method proposed. Rather than #to_hash, for instance, in Facets this
> |method is called #graph or #mash (for "map hash"). Maybe there is a
> |better name to be had, but it certainly is a useful method to have at
> |times.
>
> Any method can be useful for certain situation.  The point is how
> often and in what situation it is useful.  I don't see that much
> usefulness to make it built in.
>
>                                                        matz.
>
>