From: David Alan Black <dblack@...>
Date: 2004-05-29T22:48:40+09:00
Subject: Re: Metaobjects in Ruby

Hi --

"Sean Ross" <sross@connectmail.carleton.ca> writes:

> "Claus Spitzer" <DocBoobenstein@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:a7c2a81904052819266b9104b6@mail.gmail.com...
> [snip]
> > Now to start I was wondering if Ruby uses Metaobjects. If yes, where
> > is a good point to start gathering information on it? If not, which
> > are the facilities that Ruby uses to achieve reflection,
> > introspection, etc.? And again, where can I get more information on
> > it?
> [snip]
> 
> 
> Well, there's a chapter on Ruby "metaclass hackery" here:
> 
> http://www.visibleworkings.com/little-ruby/Chapter3.pdf

I know this sounds weird, but I don't think metaclasses are part of
metaprogramming or reflection.  I think "metaclass", as used in the
pickaxe, is just a term for the singleton class of a Class object.  (I
also seem to remember some sentiment on the part of Guy Decoux and
possibly others that the term isn't really necessary at all, but I
never got that discussion entirely straight.)


David

-- 
David A. Black
dblack@wobblini.net