From: Trans <transfire@...>
Date: 2006-03-21T21:53:51+09:00
Subject: Re: iterate chars in a string

<i>Modifying String#to_a to return an array of characters has been
brought
up before (ruby-talk:148588 and following).  I don't think Matz likes
the idea, though.</i>

It should be pointed out that there really is a flaw in the way Ruby
handles this. #each takes a parameter which defaults to the global
variable $/ to determine the actual split to perform. Not only can't
enumerable handle the parameter, but worse relying on a globabl
varaible like that is dangerous! To be safe one would have to set the
global everytime it is used, or aways give the parameter. Otherwise
another lib might change it on you. The upshot of all this is that we
are much less inclined to even bother with String#each, which is too
bad.

BTW, see Calibre's EnumerablePass for a way to allow #each to take
parameters and still have enumerablity.

T.