From: Tim Pease <tim.pease@...>
Date: 2009-01-17T05:32:04+09:00
Subject: Re: create copy of array without changing original

On Jan 16, 2009, at 1:06 PM, Jason Lillywhite wrote:

> Why is it that if I create an array, a = [1,2,3]
> then do b = a
> then b[0] = 99
>
> why is that a[0] magically becomes 99 too?
>

a = [1,2,3]
a.object_id    #=> 604244548
b = a
b.object_id    #=> 604244548

Your two variables are referring to the same object ... or another way  
of saying that is all variables in ruby hold a reference to an object.  
To get a copy of your array ...

b = a.dup
b.object_id    #=> 604262918


Welcome to ruby!

Blessings,
TwP