From: Brian Candler <B.Candler@...>
Date: 2003-06-03T03:22:46+09:00
Subject: Re: Advantages of Symbols over constants

On Mon, Jun 02, 2003 at 10:23:16AM +0900, Jim Weirich wrote:
> Well, yes ... but I imagine that in the cases we are talking about the
> actual value of the constant is irrelevant.  In fact, if I were to use
> constants, I would consider doing ...
> 
>    UP = Object.new
>    DOWN = Object.new
> 
> Now I can't accidently use :up or :down in my code.  I _must_ use the
> constant.

I have also found fake classes to be a useful way of doing this:

  class Myclass
    class UP; end
    class DOWN; end
    def foo(option)
      # useful stuff
    end
  end

  a = Myclass.new
  a.foo(Myclass::UP)

Just another option...

Regards,

Brian.