From: Stefan Lang <perfectly.normal.hacker@...>
Date: 2008-11-01T05:09:13+09:00
Subject: Re: How to access to local variables in enclosing scopes?

2008/10/31 Yuh-Ruey Chen <maian330@gmail.com>:
> Well then just wrap that example in another function:
>
> def scope()
>        a = 20
>        def foo():
>                a = 10
>                def bar():
>                        print a # prints 10
>                bar()
>        foo()
>        print a # prints 20
> scope()

FWIW, Ruby doesn't have nested procedures like that.

> I am trying to understand Ruby with some metaprogramming practice. But
> I still feel that this is a really backwards step in language design.
>
> It's like telling me I should use GOTO in original BASIC instead of
> trying to bend the language to simulate while loops. Would any sane
> modern programmer do that?

I don't think it's a good analogy. Ruby is more oriented towards
little objects and message passing than Pascal-like nested
procedures.

I'm sure we could work out an elegant solution to some higher
level goal than "accessing local variables", especially when it
comes to metaprogramming.

Stefan