> I'd suggest adding lines method to return an array of lines in the > string, if it's not defined. Okay, that works fine (with "unless" instead of "if"): class String unless defined? "".lines alias lines to_a end end Thanks! > If 1.8 maintainer agrees, I'd add the method to 1.8. Would this mean that some scripts (that use String#lines but don't include the patch above) are running with Ruby 1.9.x and 1.8.7+ only? Sounds weird...wouldn't it be better to force the patch, instead of adding another compatibility level (between 1.8.7 and 1.9)? At least Ruby 1.8 should raise a warning when you try to use a String as Enumerable. [murphy]