From: "David A. Black" <dblack@...>
Date: 2004-06-08T04:54:28+09:00
Subject: Re: How to ducktype a Hash?

Hi --

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, Austin Ziegler wrote:

> Richard Kilmer [mailto:rich@infoether.com] :
> > Oops...sorry...you are right...it would have to be:
> > 
> >   f.{Array}['rich']
> > 
> > to make it explicit that you are grouping the {} with the 
> > method name.  This is only an issue for the operator'ish methods
> > because methods require the dot in them already.
> 
> Maybe:
> 
>   f<Array>['rich']
>   f.<Person>[firstname]
> 
> It's ugly enough to discourage its use, but it also calls to mind the
> syntax for C++ templates (for good or ill) while not being
> currently-legal Ruby.

I think it has to be assumed that if Matz adds any type-related stuff,
it will get very heavy use, ugly or not.  Luckily there's little or no
precedent for Matz adding ugly stuff :-) but I think this is a case
where people who want to use it are not going to be deterred by how it
looks, so I wouldn't want to rely on that effect.  


David

-- 
David A. Black
dblack@wobblini.net