From: Jari Williamsson <jari.williamsson@...>
Date: 2007-11-30T23:33:48+09:00
Subject: Re: problem with 'self'. behaves different on setting and gettin

Michal Gabrukiewicz wrote:

> so my 1st question is: why doesnt the 'set_foo' method calls the 'x'
> method if i remove the self?

Because it now thinks that x is a local variable. This is one of the 
basics of Ruby.

If you use NetBeans, the editor will alert you about these kind of 
things in the colored syntax.

> THE INTERESTING THING: 'get_foo' works with 'x' and 'self.x'

Yes, but with different result behind the scenes. 'x' is the same as 
'x()', while 'self.x' is the same a '@x'

> and the 2nd question: when should i use self now and when not and why is
> there this strange behavoir?

You should use self when a left-side argument can be interpreted as a 
local variable.


Best regards,

Jari Williamsson