From: Marnen Laibow-Koser <marnen@...>
Date: 2009-11-28T15:30:31+09:00
Subject: Re: Local variables can't be accessed from outside, right?

Michael Winterstein wrote:
> Hi, I've been trying to figure out metaprogramming and I've mostly got
> it figured out, but in doing so I ran across this example:
> 
> class A
>   def initialize
>     @a = 11
>     @@a = 22
>     a = 33
>   end
>   @a = 1
>   @@a = 2
>   a = 3
> end
> 
> 
> This was given as a posed question (can you access all the variables)
> and a particular order of the output was given (specifically, 1 2 3 11
> 22 33).  Getting at the instance variables, and even the class variables
> doesn't seem that hard to me.  But it seems to me there's no way to get
> at the local variable a's.  The way it was asked makes me think it might
> be possible, but I'm reasonably sure it isn't.
> 
> However, I'm fairly new to Ruby and just wrapping my mind around the
> metaprogramming ideas and realize I could easily be missing something.
> 
> I think a trick like puts A.new would be a lame solution,

Well, it would be the only solution to a lame question. :)

> finding it somehow in memory after the class definition end statement
> (though that might be interesting to know if Ruby can do that).

Sort of.  Remember, a class definition is executable code.  Does that 
give you an idea?  It should.

Best,
--
Marnen Laibow-Koser
http://www.marnen.org
marnen@marnen.org
-- 
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