From: Ge Bro <boomstik@...>
Date: 2007-11-24T13:52:29+09:00
Subject: Iterating through class names using a block

Hey all,
this is a total newbie question, i'm just starting to learn Ruby.

here's the thing: i've got a couple of arrays with several items in
each. I'd like to use a block to iterate through each array, and create
objects of the class that is named the same as the array.

This is supposed to populate a database where tables are named after
arrays, and each table contains 1 column called "item_name" with items
from the corresponding array.

allow me to illustrate:

###

some_item = ['foo', 'bar']
other_item = ['alpha', 'bravo', 'foxtrot', 'zebra']

['some_item', 'other_item'].each do |this_array|
  array_length = 0
  this_object = this_array.to_s.capitalize   #<== here's the problem
  until array_length == this_array.length
    this_object.new(:item_name => this_array[array_length])
    array_length += 1
  end
end

###

the problem is, this_object becomes a string with the value of
|this_array|. How do I explain to the program that its value is not just 
a string, but actually a name of the class, an instance of which i'm
trying to initialize?

Forgive the dumb question, but i'm just starting out. I've been banging
my head against this for hours.... any help would be appreciated...

thanks!
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