From: Robert Klemme <shortcutter@...>
Date: 2006-11-04T08:20:16+09:00
Subject: Re: Accessing a hash -- Beginner

don wrote:
> I want to access a hash via a gets command.  A simplified 
> example, for a hash named, "test":
>  
>   print 'hash name: '
>   hash_var = gets.chomp   # enter 'test' here
> 
>   puts hash_var           # <-- nil
>   puts test               # <-- the contents of the hash
>   
> One problem I see is hash_var is class String, while test is
> class Hash.  I cannot figure out how to make hash_var class
> Hash.  I'm not even sure if I am on the right track.  I
> would appreciate any help.

There is not a single Hash instance in your code.  Also "test" is not 
set, hence it's interpreted as a method call:

$ ruby -e "  print 'hash name: '
 >   hash_var = gets.chomp   # enter 'test' here
 >
 >   puts hash_var           # <-- nil
 >   puts test               # <-- the contents of the hash
 > "
hash name: foo
foo
-e:5:in `test': wrong number of arguments (ArgumentError)
         from -e:5

What is your problem?  What are you trying to achieve?

Regards

	robert