Re: map-1.3.0

On Oct 12, 12:53=A0pm, "ara.t.howard" <[e-mail]> wrote:
> > Hi Ara,
>
> > There is also Stash library (gem install stash -or- gem install
> > hashery).
>
> > One difference between Stash and your Map, is that it uses Strings
> > rather then Symbols for keys so they can be garbage collected.
>
> > Looks like we created these libraries for the same reason. I agree
> > with your statement "the ruby container you've always wanted". IMO
> > Ruby's built-in Hash should work like this because most of the time
> > that's really what we want. A Hash that allows for any type key could
> > be separate class instantiated explicitly.
>
> map does use strings:http://github.com/ahoward/map/blob/master/lib/map.rb=
#L123

Ah, your example's heavy use of symbols made me think otherwise. Very
good.

> big differences between the two libs actually: map is *always*
> ordered. =A0stash does not appear to be...

Stash is a subclass of Hash so it will be as ordered as actual Hash,
i.e. 1.8.x no, 1.9 yes.

> map also works recursively:
>
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > require 'map'
> =A0=3D> true
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > m =3D Map.new
> =A0=3D> {}
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > m.update :k =3D> {:a =3D> {:x =3D> 42}}
> =A0=3D> {"k"=3D>{"a"=3D>{"x"=3D>42}}}
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > m['k']['a']['x']
> =A0=3D> 42
>
> stash does not:
>
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > require 'stash'
> =A0=3D> true
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > s =3D Stash.new
> =A0=3D> {}
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > s.update :k =3D> {:a =3D> {:x =3D> 42}}
> =A0=3D> {"k"=3D>{:a=3D>{:x=3D>42}}}
> ruby-1.8.7-p302 > s['k']['a']['x']
> NoMethodError: undefined method `[]' for nil:NilClass
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 from (irb):14

The error is technically correct. You've assigned a Hash to a Stash as
a value, so you can't treat the Hash as if it were a Stash. Otherwise
you would never be able to assign an actual Hash as a value. To work
correctly one needs to do:

   s.update :k =3D> Stash[:a =3D> Stash[:x =3D> 42]]

I realize automatic conversion might be convenient, but I would be
concerned that it could cause issues.

I might add a #normalize method though that could descend the Stash
and convert all Hash entries and sub-Hash entries to Stashes. I'll
give it some thought. Thanks.

> so there are definitely big differences between the libs at this
> point. =A0just FYI.

or big differences in our definition of "big"?