From: Morton Goldberg <m_goldberg@...>
Date: 2008-02-14T02:13:59+09:00
Subject: Re: [RRR] Robert's Ruby Riddle: Local or Method

On Feb 13, 2008, at 10:38 AM, Robert Dober wrote:

> Can the following code be used to test if the argument of puts is the
> local variable "a" or the method "a"? And if so please explain how.
>
> <code>
> a = 42
> def a; 42 end
> puts a
> </code>
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I can't see how it can as it is written above, but with a little  
modification ...

<code>
a = 42
def a; 43 end
puts a
puts a()
</code>

This makes it clear that Ruby prefers the local variable when it's  
defined. It also makes it clear that one doesn't have to write self.a  
to get the method called.

<code>
# a = 42
def a; 43 end
puts a
puts a()
</code>

And this makes it clear that Ruby will call the method when the local  
is not defined.

Regards, Morton