From: Pit Capitain <pit@...>
Date: 2007-02-20T03:28:11+09:00
Subject: Re: Assertions Testing in irb

Bharat Ruparel schrieb:
> I have a side question.  I am not sure when to use:
> 
> 1. load
> 2. require
> 3. include
> 
> it irb.  Can someone give a simple set of guidelines for that?

Bharat, in addition to what Aur said, let me explain it again:

#require looks for a *file* in the Ruby load path and executes it, if it 
hasn't done so already. This is the normal way to load libraries.

#load is rarely used, as Aur said. The main difference to #require is 
that the file is executed everytime the #load method is called, not only 
the first time.

The files executed with #require and #load normally define or extend 
classes and modules.

#include allows you to include the methods of *modules* into your 
current class. Often the included modules come from previously required 
files, so you often see a sequence like this:

   require <name-of-file>

   class MyClass
     include <module-defined-in-file-loaded-above>
   end

Regards,
Pit