From: Daniel Schierbeck <daniel.schierbeck@...>
Date: 2005-09-14T23:46:34+09:00
Subject: String#digest

I don't think this already exists, but if it does I apologise for your 
inconvenience.

I propose that a method String#digest (or #checksum or whatever) is 
defined in the Digest class of the standard library.

   # Current
   digest = Digest::SHA1.new(str)

   # Proposed
   digest = str.digest(:sha1)

This can be implemented fairly easily:

   class String
     def digest (type = :md5)
       case type
       when :md5
         Digest::MD5.new(self)
       when :sha1
         Digest::SHA1.new(self)
       end
     end
   end

String#digest does not have to work like it does in my example. The key 
point here is that a message digest / hashsum should be a property of 
the string. I think it's the Ruby Way to Do It (TM).

Comments and constructive criticism are appreciated. Flames are not.


Cheers and remember Talk Like A Pirate Day the 19th,
Daniel