From: Ashley Roeckelein <ashley.DONT@...>
Date: 2001-05-22T09:41:25+09:00
Subject: [ruby-talk:15512] Newbie GC question

Hi,

I have a question regarding the Ruby GC and strings vs. symbols.  I'm 
working on my first "learn Ruby" Ruby program, and have come to the option 
of representing "data" as either strings or as symbols.  As I understand 
it, when invoked, the GC will "clean out" any unreferenced strings that may 
be laying around - I wonder if the GC also does this with any unreferenced 
"interned" symbols too?  i.e. will the GC also clean out any unreferenced 
symbols?

My guess is yes, so given this assumption, is there any performance or 
memory advantages to using symbols over strings, or vice-versa?

FYI, my "learn Ruby" program is a Prolog-in-Ruby (I know I know - good 
lord, why?), and it is coming along nicely!  I am very impressed with 
Ruby's powers so far!  Bravo!

-ash