From: gwtmp01@...
Date: 2005-10-28T04:31:59+09:00
Subject: Argument Passing Syntax

Why are arguments to the '[]' method parsed differently
than a standard method?

class A
   def m1(*args)
     puts args.inspect
   end
   def [](*args)
     puts args.inspect
   end
end

irb> a = A.new
=> #<A:0x321c28>
irb> a.m1(1,2)
[1, 2]
=> nil
irb> a.m1(1 => 2)
[{1=>2}]
=> nil
irb> a.m1(1, 2 => 3)
[1, {2=>3}]
=> nil
irb> a[1,2]
[1, 2]
=> nil
irb> a[1 => 2]
[{1=>2}]
=> nil
irb> a[1, 2 => 3]
SyntaxError: compile error
(irb):15: syntax error
a[1, 2 => 3]
          ^
         from (irb):15

Gary Wright