From: "Eric I." <rubytraining@...>
Date: 2008-08-11T13:07:51+09:00
Subject: Re: Basic question about Ruby's class hierarchy

On Aug 10, 11:22 pm, Patrick Li <patrickli_2...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I thought I understood this, but apparently not.
>
> What is this object exactly?
> o = class << String; self; end
>
> From my understanding:
> p o
> and
> p String
> should output the same thing.
>
> but it doesn't
> p o #<Class:String>
> p String #String

o is not the same as String.  o is String's metaclass.  The exact role
that metaclasses play is Ruby's take on object-oriented programming is
too much for an answer post such as this.  But you might want to read
why's explanation at:

    http://www.whytheluckystiff.net/articles/seeingMetaclassesClearly.html

Eric

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