Almann Goo wrote:

>Can someone please explain the semantics behind the following:
>
>irb(main):001:0> a = ( 4 + 5 )
>=> 9
>irb(main):002:0> a = ( 4
>irb(main):003:1>       + 5 )
>=> 5
>irb(main):004:0> a = ( 4 +
>irb(main):005:1*       5 )
>=> 9
>
>  
>
I'm no expert, but I think it has to do with both first and third having 
the + operator on the first line and the second one having the + 
operator on the second line - note also that irb understands that the 
third case is a continuation of the previous line (*), but the second 
case is treated almost as 2 separate statements - no (*).

I'm sure someone else will have a better idea
Kev