From: Matt Harrison <iwasinnamuknow@...>
Date: 2008-12-28T20:20:51+09:00
Subject: Re: Syntax error I don't understand

Albert Schlef wrote:
> (I'm using Ruby 1.8.6.)
> 
> I'm trying to add a random number to an array. I do:
> 
>   a = []
>   a << rand 3
> 
> But ruby replies with "syntax error, unexpected tINTEGER, expecting kDO
> or '{' or '('"
> 
> Why's that?
> 
> When I add parentheses to the function call, as in...
> 
>   a = []
>   a << rand(3)
> 
> ...then I don't get this syntax error. I'd like to understand why this
> happens.

As I have learned, the parenthesis are optional for function arguments, 
however there are some cases where that confuses the interpreter. It 
would be my guess ruby is trying to do "a << rand" and then finds and 
extra integer stuck on the end.

Putting the parenthesis around the integer forces ruby to perform the 
"<<" on the whole function.

HTH

Matt