From: James O'Brien <jeob32@...>
Date: 2010-07-18T10:21:10+09:00
Subject: ruby abstraction

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Hi,

I'm a newbie with a background in Java. I've just about finished working
through an introductory ruby book and I didn't see anything about abstract
classes or indeed interfaces.

I have found the concept of an interface invaluable in my Java programming
and wondered if there were an equivalent concept in Ruby?

I'm open to the idea that interfaces might not be needed in Ruby but I'd
very much like this properly explained since as a thought-experiment I
propose Java without interfaces would be worse - therefore what is it
specifically about Ruby which means it is not as needed? I'm well versed in
the benefits of test driven code and documentation but we have this in Java
too (and still find interfaces a useful abstraction tool). So is there
something I'm missing or are interfaces something people here would like to
see added to the Ruby language? I agree Ruby is wonderful but loyalties
aside can someone actually put it in words for me why it doesn't need
interfaces.

many thanks for your replies

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