From: dblack@...
Date: 2006-03-27T10:43:57+09:00
Subject: Re: Why do some methods names which replace the content in place doesn't have the "!" sign?

Hi --

On Mon, 27 Mar 2006, Eric Boucher wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I was wandering why some ruby methods which replaces the contents of its
> variable doesn't follow the rules which say that when the method name
> has a "!" symbol at the end, it means that its contents will be replace
> in place. For example:
>
> Array#replace instead of Array#replace!
> Array#clear instead of Array#clear!
> ...
>
> Is it because the name really mean what it mean? Maybe am I all wrong?

See Tim and Hal's responses.  A further reflection on it: In cases
where it would make no sense for there to be a non-"dangerous" version
of the method, there's no need for the method/method! pair.  In the
case of #replace, it's hard to imagine what it would mean to replace
the contents of an array without changing it.  And in the case of
clear, a non-destructive version would just be the same as [] :-)

So yes, it's because the name already implies the whole operation.


David

-- 
David A. Black (dblack@wobblini.net)
Ruby Power and Light, LLC (http://www.rubypowerandlight.com)

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