From: ara.t.howard@...
Date: 2006-03-27T00:53:37+09:00
Subject: Re: Noob: use of the double colon

On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 dblack@wobblini.net wrote:

>> Bothe seem to work OK.
>> Is there a difference? If yes, what is the difference?
>
> They do both work.  I've never understood why the :: exists for this
> purpose, since the . is the normal way of sending messages to objects
> and works perfectly well whether or not the receiver is a class.  It's
> on my very short list of things I'd like to see removed from Ruby.

i think it's quite useful in the context of metaprogramming or classes or
modules as variables:

   m = method_returning_an_module
   m::module_method

   c = method_returning_an_class
   c::class_method

   o = method_returning_an_object
   o.object_method

i find this approach helps me understand which kind of thing my variables have
at a quick glance.  it's a similar idea to naming arrays with plural words

   people = []
   person = people.first

which some hate and some love.  still, these kinds of techniques can reduce
the need for comments and preserve programmer sanity.

kind regards.

-a
-- 
share your knowledge.  it's a way to achieve immortality.
- h.h. the 14th dali lama