On Friday 30 December 2005 03:50 pm, Caleb Tennis wrote:
> > I have no idea of the internal representation, but I do know when I use
> > to_s on a symbol I get a string, and when I use to_i on that same symbol
> > I get an integer, so in a generic, non-ruby-dependent way, it has an
> > integer and a string. If it didn't "have" or "possess" or "be cognisant
> > of" both the integer and the string, I wouldn't be able to deduce the
> > string and integer with to_s and to_i.
>
> I think the nomenclature of "has" isn't valid because the symbol doesn't
> contain those things.  Much like
>
> a = "53"
> a.to_i
>
> => 53
>
> "a" doesn't contain an integer.  It does, however, contain a method that
> allows you to convert it to an integer representation.

I understand what you're saying Caleb. Austin -- is that what you meant?

SteveT

Steve Litt
http://www.troubleshooters.com
slitt / troubleshooters.com