From: Daniel Finnie <danfinnie@...>
Date: 2006-12-18T02:50:42+09:00
Subject: Re: require, load and include --- what's the difference?

I think you've got it right.

require basically copies and pastes the referenced file into the source, 
but it only includes classes and modules, I don't think variables 
besides instance variables and class variables get imported.

include makes it so you don't have to use the scope resolution operator 
"::".  It "unwraps" a module is how I like to think of it.

matt wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm browsing through some code, trying to familiarize myself with the
> language (I have a C++ background, with only a #include), and I realize
> that there are 3 calls that I'm trying to wrap my head around.  
> 
> Here's my stab:
> 
> Require -- seems to include another file to gain access to other
> classes, modules, and global data. This seems to be equivalent to a C++
> include, with inclusion guards
> 
> Load -- seems to be the same as require, but will actually reload the
> data every time it is called, where require will load once and cache the
> file. This seems to be equivalent to C++ include, with out inclusion
> guards.
> 
> Include -- seems to include a module name from a pre-determined path,
> but not classes (unless encapsulated within a module).  Would this be
> similar to a C++ namespace being given the include directory at compile
> time?
> 
> So a couple of things here, are my understandings of the 3 methods
> close, if not, could someone please expand on them.  The other is what's
> the advantage of include vs require?  I mean, why would I include a
> module, rather than require it's filename?
> 
> I've read through the RDocs, but I still don't seem to understand. 
> 
> I hope this post makes sense, let me know if I need to clarify.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Matt
> 
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