From: Gregory Seidman <gsslist+ruby@...>
Date: 2006-04-03T20:47:56+09:00
Subject: Re: What does this hash do? Is this a hash?

On Mon, Apr 03, 2006 at 06:34:50PM +0900, ts wrote:
} >>>>> "r" == ralf  <stark.dreamdetective@googlemail.com> writes:
} 
} r> hash = Hash.new("")
} r> => {}
} r> hash["a"] << "b"
} 
}  When you write this :
}   1) ruby return the default value for the hash ('a' don't exist as a key)
}   2) concatenate "b" to this default value (see String#<<)
} 
}  Finally you have modified the default value for the hash, and you can see
}  this here :
} 
} r> hash["alskj"]
} r> => "b"
} 
}   ruby now give the new default value

This has to be the most frequently asked question on this list. Why isn't it
in the FAQ at http://www.rubygarden.org/faq/main/all ?

} Guy Decoux
--Greg