From: Peter Suk <peter.kwangjun.suk@...>
Date: 2005-04-09T02:55:54+09:00
Subject: Re: Seven new VMs, all in a row

On Apr 8, 2005, at 7:54 AM, Glenn Parker wrote:

> Avi Bryant wrote:
>>> - instance variables that don't need to be predeclared with the class
>> Not exactly as Ruby does, but you can simply add new instance 
>> variables
>> to the class definition whenever you compile a method that uses a new
>> one.
>
> Isn't that jumping the gun just a bit?  An instance variable (in Ruby) 
> should not exist in an object until the line that assigns/creates it 
> is actually executed.  It's a subtle point, but it could impact some 
> types of reflective programming.  Maybe you can mask its existence 
> somehow?

I've been giving this some thought.  There's no reason why we can't 
create ST instance vars at runtime.  However, it will mean deferring 
compilation.  The suggestion to mask its creation is a good one from a 
performance standpoint, and is certainly doable.

--Peter

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