From: Gary Wright <gwtmp01@...>
Date: 2007-02-20T11:15:11+09:00
Subject: Re: Strange question:   Convert string to array name


On Feb 19, 2007, at 7:20 PM, kenbo wrote:
> I want to use foo to access an array called bobo.   I will have bobo
> defined already.

This type of question seems to come up periodically on the list but
I never seem to run into in while coding.  I tend to think that in most
(but not all) cases the need to reach for eval indicates some larger
design issue.

In your case, I would ask why you are resorting to using several local
variables that you need to distinguish by name rather than simply using
a hash to organize things?

arrays = {}
array[:bobo] = [1,2,3]
array[:foo] = [4,5,6]

array[:foo][2]     # 5

Perhaps if you gave the list the 'bigger' picture they could suggest
a solution that doesn't require 'eval'.

Gary Wright