> How can I do something like the following: > class Foo > attr_accessor :goo, :moo > def initalize > @attr.each { | attrib| attrib = 0 } [:goo,:moo].each { |sym| send "#{sym}=", 0 } or: [:goo,:moo].each { |sym| instance_eval "@#{sym} ||= 0" } > end > end You have to specify the variable names. Ruby only creates an instance of the variable once it's accessed.