From: Olivier Renaud <o.renaud@...>
Date: 2007-02-18T06:57:00+09:00
Subject: Re: ri usage

Le samedi 17 février 2007 22:18, Bharat Ruparel a écrit :
> I am trying to learn how to use ri effectively.  I was looking up
> methods for an Array.  If I type Array.methods.sort at the irb prompt,
> it displays a whole slew of methods.  If I then type "ri Array.sort" at
> the command prompt then I get a brief description of it.  I noticed that
> Array class has an "&" method.  I am trying to look it up using ri as
> follows:
> ri Array.&
> It does not work.  How do I lookup the "&" method for an Array class
> using ri?
>
> Another question related to ri is that if I type
> ri Array
> I get a whole lot of stuff on the Array class.  It seems like the screen
> buffer responds to "vi" style movement keys, e.g., CTRL-F for forward
> one screen CTRL-B for one screen back,etc.  I noticed that the
> documentation says "&" is an Instance method and the screen prompt waits
> at ":", is there any command that I can type here which will get me more
> info on the desired method listed such as "&" for example?
> Is there a brief how to guide available for using "ri"?
> Thanks.
> Bharat

You should surround the argument with ' or ", since "&" has a special meaning 
for the shell :

ri 'Array.&'

ri --help warns about this issue, and gives the basic of its use.

-- 
Olivier Renaud