From: Dave Thomas <Dave@...>
Date: 2000-12-23T03:24:26+09:00
Subject: [ruby-talk:7973] Re: Hash access method

Ted Meng <ted_meng@yahoo.com> writes:

> I wonder if the ruby 1.8 could allow "." access
> to Hash object. such as
> 
> h = {'a' => 1}
> h.a   # 1
> h.a = 2  
> h.a   # 2

What happens if the key is an instance method of hash?

  h = {'clear' => a, 'foggy' => 2 }
  h.clear   # ?

However, ignoring this small issue, you can implement something
similar for yourself:

  class Hash
    def method_missing(m, *args)
      name = m.to_s
      if name[-1] == ?=
        self[name[0..-2]] = args[0]
      else             
        self.fetch(name)
      end
    end
  end

  h = { "a" => 1, "b" => 2 }
  h.a    #=> 1
  h.b    #=> 2
  h.a = 99
  h.a    #=> 99
  h      #=> {"a"=>99, "b"=>2}


I love this language!


Dave