From: Jason Roelofs <jameskilton@...>
Date: 2006-10-24T05:24:29+09:00
Subject: Re: File::open and File.open

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This is just Ruby syntax. It allows both :: and . as operators to
class-level methods and variables.

File::open and File.open are the exact same thing: a class method. Were it
an instance method, you would have to do:

file = File.new
file.open

aka, create an instance of the object, then call the function. For
confusions sake, this is the same as:

file = File::new
file.open

Jason

On 10/23/06, Brad Tilley <rtilley@vt.edu> wrote:
>
> What exactly is the difference between these? :: is a class method while
> . is an instance method??? If that is so, could someone clarify this
> with more detail? I use File.open, but File::open works too. However
> sometimes, this is not the case which adds to my confusion :) For
> example, I can only do Digest::MD5.new() and not Digest.MD5.new() why is
> that?
>
> I don't fully understand OO programming... perhaps this is my problem.
>
> Thank you for your time.
>
> --
> Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.
>
>

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