From: Trans <transfire@...>
Date: 2006-08-18T03:45:12+09:00
Subject: Re: Multiple arguments for Hash#delete


Daniel Schierbeck wrote:
> Trans wrote:
> > Also, it really doesn't work to redefine delete() as you originally
> > suggested b/c you'd have to use the delete_values_at to ensure you get
> > an expected result, otherwise you're assuming preknowledge of how many
> > elemets are in the Hash.
>
> What do you mean? It would work fine for the purpose I've described. If
> you want to be sure you get an array when deleting multiple key-value
> pairs, use #delete_values_at, otherwise #delete is just fine. The nifty
> thing is that it adjusts its return value according to your need.

Yea, I'm just saying YAGNI b/c in the end you won't use delete() with
more than one index, you'll use #delete_values_at b/c of the clear
separation of functionality. But...

> If #delete should be altered, why should #[] and #[]= ?

You may have a point. Though it doesn't matter as much becuase it's
much less often the anyone depends on the return value of []=. ie. we
just use it to set values. But to be very percise it should probably be
changed to match Array's. Consider that Array's []= method does take
multuiple parameters related to slicing. Facets' deals with that by
allowing it to also take an  Array parameter:

  a = []
  a[[1,2,3]] = :a, :b, :c
  a #=> [ :a, :b, :c ]

Hash's can be made to do the same. What do you think?

T.