From: "Mauricio Fernández" <batsman.geo@...>
Date: 2004-06-26T02:55:54+09:00
Subject: Re: I am confused with Value Type Objects

On Sat, Jun 26, 2004 at 02:38:05AM +0900, Sam Sungshik Kong wrote:
> According to http://www.rubygarden.org/ruby?GCAndMemoryManagement, FixNum
> takes only 4 bytes (on 32-bit machines).
> Is it true?
> If so, doesn't it have any other information except for the value itself?
> How does ruby know that a FixNum is actually a FixNum instead of a reference
> to an object when it doesn't have any information about the type?

In Ruby, Fixnums have 31 bits; the missing bit (least significant one)
is used to mark it as a fixnum. This works because other objects will
be at even addresses.

> I'm from C# background.
> In C# (actually dotnet framework), values types are structures not just a
> simple value.

Most objects in Ruby are indeed represented internally by structures;
take a look at ruby.h.

-- 
Running Debian GNU/Linux Sid (unstable)
batsman dot geo at yahoo dot com

We are using Linux daily to UP our productivity - so UP yours!
	-- Adapted from Pat Paulsen by Joe Sloan