Jim wrote:
> Here's some example code. In method_b, what is the difference in
> calling method_a and self.method_a?
> 

In Your code it makes no difference, however there are situations when 
You'll have to explicitly resolve method invocation, consider:

class C
	def meth1
	end

	def meth2
		meth1	# no problem, but..
		meth1=4	# variable assignment
		self.meth1 # so we have to resolve it as a method
	end	
end

other thing is operator method invocation:

class D

	def + arg
		p arg
	end

	def meth
		+ 2		# Ruby sees it as unary plus, aka +@
		self + 2 	# explicit
	end

end


lopex