From: Austin Ziegler <austin@...>
Date: 2003-12-24T09:50:04+09:00
Subject: Re: Does String cache its 'hash' return value?

On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 09:06:51 +0900, Asfand Yar Qazi wrote:
> Florian Frank wrote:
>> On Tue, 2003-12-23 at 01:56, Asfand Yar Qazi wrote:
>>> What I mean is, if I repeatedly call a String's hash method (i.e.
>>> like using it regularly to access a Hash) will the hash value get
>>> recalculated every time?
>> Yes, it will. Have you considered unsing Symbols instead of Strings?
>> The hash value "calculation" of a Symbol is O(1).
> Depends... if Symbols are used as the keys for a hash table, can they be
> as easily accessed from extension modules as if Strings were used?

I don't understand your question.

MyModule.config(:bar => "baz")

You will need to document the hash parameters regardless of whether it's 
"bar" or :bar. Strings can also be converted to Symbols with #intern.

-austin
--
austin ziegler    * austin@halostatue.ca * Toronto, ON, Canada
software designer * pragmatic programmer * 2003.12.23
                                         * 19.47.42