From: Chad Perrin <perrin@...>
Date: 2007-03-08T16:26:53+09:00
Subject: Re: Paul Graham explains Ruby symbols

On Thu, Mar 08, 2007 at 02:48:48PM +0900, Gary Wright wrote:
> 
> On Mar 8, 2007, at 12:41 AM, Chad Perrin wrote:
> >Obviously, a symbol is different in easily explained ways from string
> >variables, without having to drag implementation into it.  Things  
> >aren't
> >quite so clear-cut between symbols and string *literals*, though.
> 
> I'm not sure that the problem you are describing has anything to do with
> symbols.  Anyone learning Ruby is going to have to understand the
> difference between "1", 1, 1.0, /1/, and :1. Symbol literals
> aren't really special in this regard.

Umm . . . I don't see how any of that has anything to do with whether or
not some reference to implementation details is necessary for a
meaningful explanation of the difference between :bob and "bob".

-- 
CCD CopyWrite Chad Perrin [ http://ccd.apotheon.org ]
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