From: Todd Benson <caduceass@...>
Date: 2008-02-17T19:16:21+09:00
Subject: Re: Use of ? in variable names

On Feb 16, 2008 12:04 PM, Michael Brooks <michael.brooks@shaw.ca> wrote:
> Hello everyone:
>
> Why can't I name boolean variables with a "?" on the end?  The "?" can
> be used on the end of methods but not variable.  Here is an example:
>
> # This naming convention works with "?"
> def boolean_method?
>    return true
> end
> puts boolean_method?
>
> # This naming convention doesn't works with "?"
> boolean_variable? = true
> puts boolean_variable?
>
> The question mark would make the intention of the variable obvious, just
> like it helps the method name.
>
> So why isn't this allowed?  Did I miss something?

I suppose because any object is true and the following wouldn't make sense...

boolean_variable? = "false"

You want to 'type' a variable (the syntax defines its purpose), which
goes against the general grain of Ruby.

Todd