From: "Stephan Kämper" <Stephan.Kaemper@...>
Date: 2004-02-12T18:24:58+09:00
Subject: Re: (noob) cast string to array?

Koncept wrote:
> 1) Suggestion to use gsub over sub. I assume that gsub is global? 

Yes, it is. Check your e-version of the pickaxe book (the e-verstion of 
"Programming Ruby", Dave thomas & Andy Hunt) for further details.

> 2) what is the "!" responsible for doing? (Remember me = n00b ) 

It changes the object the method works on.
I mean

     an_obj.gsub( /something/, 'whatever')

will return a new object with the changes applied, but will not change 
an_obj, while

     an_obj.gsub!( /something/, 'whatever')

will change an_obj.
That's why the ...! methods (aka bang methods) are sometimes called 
'destructive'.

Happy Rubying and welcome to the world of Ruby where programming is fun.

Stephan