From: Sean O'Halpin <sean.ohalpin@...>
Date: 2005-10-28T18:24:52+09:00
Subject: Re: Argument Passing Syntax

On 10/27/05, gwtmp01@mac.com <gwtmp01@mac.com> wrote:
> Why are arguments to the '[]' method parsed differently
> than a standard method?

Because () and [] are parsed differently. [] is primarily an array
reference (aref).
You can't pass blocks either in 1.8. In 1.9 you will be able to do this:

class O
  def [](*args, &block)
    yield(args) if block_given?
  end
end

o = O.new
o.[](1,2,3) { |x| p x } # this is what you have to do in 1.8
o[1,2,3] { |x| p x }  # this causes syntax error in 1.8 but works in 1.9

but not this (as far as I know):

o[1,:var => 3] # syntax error in 1.8 & 1.9

Regards,

Sean