From: Robert Klemme <bob.news@...>
Date: 2006-03-23T00:08:51+09:00
Subject: Re: questions/suggestions from a Ruby newbie

dblack@wobblini.net wrote:
>> -Is there a way to have multidimentional arrays in Ruby? Ie something
>> like variable[3][2]? One could use arrays of arrays but it does not
>> look quite as clear when reading the code.
> 
> How about:
> 
>   variable[3][2]
> 
> ? :-)  As long as both variable and variable[3] respond to "[]", you
> should be OK.  (They don't even have to be arrays.)

Also, it's not too difficult to write a multi dimensional array class. 
Basically you need to make [] and []= accept multiple arguments.  Note 
also, that there is a Matrix class (for n=2).

> That starts to tie the language in knots.  For one thing, if can take
> a method with a block:
> 
>   if x { }; y end
> 
> I think things would start to get much too messy, especially with an
> optional "do".

I think there's also a scoping issue involved: if and while do not 
introduce a new scope while blocks do:

if something
   a = 10
else
   a = 20
end

puts a # ok

[1].each do
   b = 30
end

puts b # not ok

> I would recommend living with these constructs for a while, on their
> own terms.  I'm reasonably certain that it will cease to feel like
> something is missing or wrong.

+1

Kind regards

	robert