From: Hugh Sasse <hgs@...>
Date: 2006-11-25T05:07:38+09:00
Subject: Re: how do I contribute to Ruby?

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006, Giles Bowkett wrote:

> > class Array
> >     def is_an?(klass)
> >         return is_a?(klass)
> >     end
> > end
> > 
> > [].is_an? Array      #=> true
> 
> Just as an aside, to implement this, I would much rather monkeypatch
> Object than Array. Otherwise it just happens again the next time I
> have a class which begins with a vowel.

You also have the problem that classes which don't start with vowels
will inherit this.   is_an? Person ???   And what about those who
use an before some /h\w+/i words?  is_an? HistoricEvent, but not
is_an? House.  It's probably best to get used to this.  At least
other people's code won't grate on you, once you have.  Let's face
it, this English language we got from the Romans, Saxons, ...,
Indians and more is very irregular.  I'm glad Ruby isn't that
irregular.
> 
> -- 
> Giles Bowkett
> http://www.gilesgoatboy.org
> 
        Hugh