Re: Problem in typical code

I think the best way to explain it is this:

In ruby, text you type is converted into representations of tokens represent=
ing objects and methods.

The simplest way to think about it at first is to construct a model in your m=
ind where there are a lot of objects floating around.=20

When you type this into ruby, you're instructing it to execute the method na=
med "to_s" that is stored in the Fixnum class object, and to execute it on t=
he Fixnum instance object 45:

45.to_s

What that does is create a new string object representing that Fixnum and re=
turn it to you. (ie it "falls out the end")

This is called method calling, or messaging. You're sending the object 45 th=
e message "to_s" and it returns the result of "45".

Now, because everything is an object in the way we think about ruby, and eva=
de ruby is quite flexible, you can do some clever things.

You can obviously create your own class objects and then create your own ins=
tance objects of these classes, but the really clever thing we're seeing her=
e is that you can re-define the methods inside a class object once it has al=
ready been defined. You can add, or modify methods "on the fly" so to speak.=
=20

This is what's happening with your code. You're ripping open the Fixnum clas=
s object - the one that ruby uses to represents fixed numbers... That is, in=
tegers that are fairly small... And you're adding some methods. All the exis=
ting functionality will remain unless you choose a method name that is alrea=
dy in use and that will obviously replace an existing method if you do that.=
=20

It's important to think in your kind about context. When you're "inside" a c=
lass definition such as this:

class Fixnum
def seconds
self
end
end

Inside the class...end context, self means "the object we're currently refer=
ring to". It's whichever object is the target of the method.

So here, in the case of our Fixnum 45, because seconds is an instance object=

method, it means the number 45 itself. So sending 45 the message seconds wil=
l return 45 itself.

If I were writing that code, I would probably have written it like this:

class Fixnum
 def seconds
   self
 end
 def minutes
   self * 60.seconds
 end
 def hours
   self * 60.minutes
 end
 def days
   self * 24.hours
 end
end

Experimentation is a very powerful tool in learning. Use IRB a lot and do a l=
ot of micro experiments, or "tests" ;)

Julian

Blog: http://random8.zenunit.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/random8r
Learn: http://sensei.zenunit.com/
New video up now at http://sensei.zenunit.com/=20
real fastcgi rails deploy process! Check it out now!


On 10/08/2011, at 4:38 AM, "amir e." <[e-mail]> wrote:

> EXCUSE ME !!!!!!!!!!
> THIS IS THE CODE :
>=20
> class Fixnum
>  def seconds
>    self
>  end
>  def minutes
>    self * 60
>  end
>  def hours
>    self * 60 * 60
>  end
>  def days
>    self * 60 * 60 * 24
>  end
> end
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> AGAIN , EXCUSE ME!!!
>=20
> --=20
> Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.
>=20