From: Hugh Sasse <hgs@...>
Date: 2008-11-04T03:10:36+09:00
Subject: Re: Text Based RPG in Ruby



On Tue, 4 Nov 2008, Ruairidh Mchardy wrote:

> Hi there Hugh,
> 
> I'd previously taken a look at Dwemthy's array (Poignant Guide to Ruby 
> right) and it is undoubtedly a nice implementation of a text-based RPG 
> in Ruby. My problem is that I'm extremely stubborn and even lifting a 
> line of code makes me feel dirty.

I know what you mean, but it is how progress is made. 
> 
> I want this program to be 100% written by me. I know that doesn't stop 
> me learning from others but I often end up writing code that is far too 
> similar for my liking!

As long as you understand it, I'd say that's OK.  But it's good to try
other approaches as well.
> 
> Also on a slightly embarassing note, my ruby skills are not to the level 
> where I can easily understand snippets such as:
> 
>  define_method( :initialize ) do
>       self.class.traits.each do |k,v|
>         instance_variable_set("@#{k}", v)
> 
> or   def self.metaclass; class << self; self; end; end
> 
>   def self.traits( *arr )
>     return @traits if arr.empty?
> 
>     attr_accessor(*arr)
> 
>     arr.each do |a|
>       metaclass.instance_eval do
>         define_method( a ) do |val|
>           @traits ||= {}
>           @traits[a] = val
> 
> And so my code is far less efficient and rather ugly too :(

Exactly why I pointed you at the article about how to achieve this with
modules, because I'm in much the same position.  
> 
> Thanks for the link though!
> 
> Kind Regards,
> 
> Ruairidh McHardy
> 
        Hugh