Mage wrote: > > However, what is this code good for? > > def make_point_hash( point ) > center = { :x => 1, :y => 2 } > big = { :r => 10 } > center.merge( big ).merge( point ) > end > make_point_hash( { :x => 20 } ) > > #=> {:y=>2, :r=>10, :x=>20} > > What is that those semicolons do? > > Mage these articles on symbols were written for you: http://glu.ttono.us/articles/2005/08/19/understanding-ruby-symbols http://onestepback.org/index.cgi/Tech/Ruby/SymbolsAreNotImmutableStrings http://www.oreillynet.com/ruby/blog/2005/12/digging_into_ruby_symbols.html http://www.oreillynet.com/ruby/blog/2005/12/symbols_strings_methods_and_va.html http://microjet.ath.cx/WebWiki/2005.12.27_UsingSymbolsForTheWrongReason.html http://www.rubycentral.com/faq/rubyfaqall.html#s6 http://moonbase.rydia.net/mental/blog/programming/ruby-symbols-explained.html