From: Robert Dober <robert.dober@...>
Date: 2007-02-16T02:42:27+09:00
Subject: Re: is it behaving strange ?

On 2/15/07, dblack@wobblini.net <dblack@wobblini.net> wrote:
> Hi --
>
> On Fri, 16 Feb 2007, hemant wrote:
>
> > On 2/15/07, sur max <sur.max@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> *a = 9     # => [9]
> >> a     # => [9]
> >> *a    # => compile error
> >> *b=*a    # => [9]
> >> *b = a    # => [[9]]
> >> b = a    # => [9]
> >> b = *a    # => 9 ----- this is amazing ?
> >
> > Splat operator is amazing, but above behaviour can be explained using this:
> >
> > "If the last lvalue is preceded by an asterisk, all the remaining
> > rvalues will be collected and
> > assigned to that lvalue as an array. Similarly, if the last rvalue is
> > an array, you can
> > prefix it with an asterisk, which effectively expands it into its
> > constituent values in
> > place. (This is not necessary if the rvalue is the only thing on the
> > right side�the array
> > will be expanded automatically.)
> > "
> > See, nothing wierd out there. ;)

Well I cannot speak for OP but what puzzles me is

a=[42] # sorry 9 is not the number ;)
*a ==> error # gotta check with 1.9 an 2.0 at home

I would think that this expression can/could/should/might perfectly
evaluate to 42
look at this other oddity the following code is completely legal and POLS(1)
def x *args
return *args
end
(1) in the sense that a,b,c = x 1,2,3 sets a to 1, b to 2 and c to 3
and x is a NOP

but return in the last statement is optional, or is it not ;) I know
you are not falling into my trap !

I see no reason however why
def x *args
*args
end
should not be legal
>
> Another way to look at it, which I think covers all of the above
> cases, is:
>
>    *x equals [x] without the []
unless it causes an error, which is not really very sexy behavior IMHO.
>
<snip>
> That's why I call it the "unary unarray" operator.
Which is a good mnemonic idea! Very didactic I feel!
>
>
> David
>
> --
> Q. What is THE Ruby book for Rails developers?
> A. RUBY FOR RAILS by David A. Black (http://www.manning.com/black)
>     (See what readers are saying!  http://www.rubypal.com/r4rrevs.pdf)
> Q. Where can I get Ruby/Rails on-site training, consulting, coaching?
> A. Ruby Power and Light, LLC (http://www.rubypal.com)
>
Cheers
Robert

-- 
We have not succeeded in answering all of our questions.
In fact, in some ways, we are more confused than ever.
But we feel we are confused on a higher level and about more important things.
-Anonymous