From: Ruby Freak <twscannell@...>
Date: 2008-06-27T02:48:02+09:00
Subject: question about defined? and y

The defined? keyword seems to have some funky behaviors.
I have decided that the best way to use it is to compare the output to
nil as it returns a myriad of results that all result in truth.

puts (defined?(x) == nil ? "Not defined" : "Is defined")

but...
What's up with y?

The uninitialized variable y returns from defined? as "method" rather
than "nil" ????

puts defined?(x) # => nil

puts defined?(y) # => method

At least this happens on my buddy's win XP box that I am using, to
play with Ruby. Maybe the box is spanked as this doesn't seem to
happen in the online ruby demo at http://tryruby.hobix.com/

I am sure there is a stupid simple answer, but it eludes me.

Thanks