hi andy! Pit Capitain [08/03/07 13:09]: > then you can just do > > if line_item_relevant :line_item_shirt or you could use that method call to retrieve your instance variable: line_item = instance_variable_get(:"@#{symbol}") cheers jens -- Jens Wille, Dipl.-Bibl. (FH) prometheus - Das verteilte digitale Bildarchiv f Forschung & Lehre An St. Laurentius 4, 50931 Köìn Tel.: +49 (0)221 470-6668, E-Mail: jens.wille / uni-koeln.de http://www.prometheus-bildarchiv.de/