From: Sam Kong <sam.s.kong@...>
Date: 2006-09-26T02:30:18+09:00
Subject: Re: How to copy a method from one class to another


Sam Kong wrote:
> Hi Rubyists,
>
> Is there a way to copy an instance method from one class to another?
>
> class C1
>   def f
>     p self.class
>   end
> end
>
> class C2
> end
>
> Now I want C2 to have f method so that I can call C2.new.f.

OK. I need to describe what I want.
Actually this problem is rather imaginary than practical.
While solving some other problem, this question came into my mind.
Normally, I would use inheritance or mix-in or maybe delegation.
This question is "What if...?"

Let's say that there's a class (C1) in a library and I'm building my
own class hierarchy including C2 (class C2 < SomeOtherClass).
In such a case, Inheritance or mix-in is not an option.
However, I want to add a method of C1 into my C2.
As someone jokingly mentioned, I can copy the source code.
Let's assume that the method is implemented in C and we don't have the
source.

Can we still copy(or reuse) the method?

Sam