From: Avatar <acampbellb@...>
Date: 2006-10-16T20:40:16+09:00
Subject: Non-declared variables

I would like to hear people's opinions on the ability to use variables
without declaring them in dynamic languages like Ruby.

It would seem to me that an argument for non-declared local variables
that typically occupy a small scope could be made. But, class
variables? What is the benefit in allowing for runtime definition of
class variables?

Are there real tangible benefits that non-declared, dynamically typed
(at binding time) variables provide? Or do dynamic variables simply
create less compile time errors and more (harder to catch) runtime
errors?

Thoughts?