From: Bill Kelly <billk@...>
Date: 2002-11-25T02:04:07+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby idom needed

From: "ts" <decoux@moulon.inra.fr>
<
> >>>>> "B" == Bill Kelly <billk@cts.com> writes:
> 
> >> h = Hash[*File.new("fred.ini").read.split(/=|\n/)]
> 
> B> I like the above, but wondered it it leaves the file open?
> 
>  The file will be closed when it will be garbage collected.

You again!!!!   ;-D

Hehe... 

Intriuging.  It's indeed good to learn GC will cause the file to
be closed (makes sense.)

I don't know if I worry too much, but that does set off my potential-
danger-alarm meter a bit, depending on conceivable circumstances:
for instance, if the above were in a loop.  Would it be possible to
run out of file handles before GC was called?

If so, I would personally find myself resistant to adopting the
idiom of letting GC close file handles, as I would view the
relationship between the opener of the handles, and GC, as a
potential race condition lurking in my code. . . . But it could be
I worry too much. :)


Regards,

Bill