From: "Jon A. Lambert" <jlsysinc@...>
Date: 2005-09-18T11:32:50+09:00
Subject: StringScanner question

Dear Ruby,

------------------------------------------------- StringScanner#get_byte
     get_byte()
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Scans one byte and returns it. Similar to, but not the same as,
     #getch.

       s = StringScanner.new('ab')
       s.getch           # => "a"
       s.getch           # => "b"
       s.getch           # => nil

---------------------------------------------------- StringScanner#getch
     getch()
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Scans one character and returns it.
     
      s = StringScanner.new('ab')
      s.get_byte         # => "a"
      s.get_byte         # => "b"
      s.get_byte         # => nil


     
I'm using StringScanner to process network packets, and want to know
whether I should be using getch or getbyte to decode them, especially
since I have 16 and 32 byte integers and other random binary cruft.  
Now I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary using getch but the 
implied threats in the RI doc have me worried. 

Anyone know what the difference is, if any? 

Thanks 

--
J Lambert