From: Chris <nemo@...>
Date: 2002-11-29T00:12:02+09:00
Subject: Re: call-by-reference problem again

Hello,

----- Original Message -----
[snip]

ruby is not created with ability to modify parameters in mind. so you
must not rely on this programming paradigm. use arrays or multiple
return values or something other
----------------------------

Huh?

Do you mean that Ruby wasn't created with the ability to modify parameter
*variables*, or the objects passed in as parameters?  You can certainly
modify the objects (to the extent that their methods allow).

In the original email (and I hope you are viewing this in a monospaced
font), the problem was simply (assuming 'str' referenced the object
"hello"):

              First, "hello".upcase returns
                  a *new* string object
                            |
                            |
  +->  str = str.upcase  <--+
  |
  |
  +--  Then the *local* variable
       'str' is set to this new
        string, thus losing all
       reference to the original
                string.

Parameters are local variables.  Perhaps the confusion is that *blocks*
don't work this way (I think).

Chris