From: Ralph Shnelvar <ralphs@...32.com>
Date: 2009-11-29T23:53:48+09:00
Subject: semantics of @x v. $x

Newbie here:

Consider
irb(main):001:0> @xyzzy = 5
=> 5
irb(main):002:0> defined? @xyzzy
=> "instance-variable"
irb(main):003:0> $xyzzy = 5
=> 5
irb(main):004:0> defined? $xyzzy


What, semantically, is the difference between $x and @x when at top
level?  (Am I at top level?)

Do $xyzzy and @xyzzy have global scope at statement 5 and beyond?