From: Tim Hammerquist <penryu@...>
Date: 2005-11-19T20:17:22+09:00
Subject: Re: why is my array a hash?

Lady Michelle Bhaal <michelle@corax.com.au> wrote:
> I have a chunk of code, where I define an array, and the very
> next time I use it, Ruby thinks that it's a hash instead :(
> 
> ..
> step = Array.new
> astep, line = getNextWord(line)
> while astep != nil
> {
> 	step.push(astep) <- gets error 'odd number list for hash'
> 	astep, line = getNextWord(line)
> }
> ..
> 
> What's with this?

Ruby doesn't think step is a hash.

The proper syntax for a while loop in ruby is:

    while CONDITION
      ...
    end

Ruby is seeing your { } and interpreting them as a hash
definition, not a block as in other languages.

    while astep != nil
      step.push(astep)
      astep, line = getNextWord(line)
    end

HTH,
Tim Hammerquist
-- 
Show me something that beats a Natural Twenty,
and I'll show you hateful LIES!
    -- Red Mage, 8-Bit Theater <http://nuklearpower.com/>