irb(main):086:0> a = Hash.new(Hash.new) => {} irb(main):087:0> a[5] => {} irb(main):088:0> a[5][4] = 3 => 3 irb(main):089:0> a => {} irb(main):090:0> a[5] => {4=>3} irb(main):091:0> a[5][4] => 3 irb(main):092:0> RUBY_DESCRIPTION => "ruby 1.8.7 (2008-08-11 patchlevel 72) [i386-mswin32]" Upon inspection of 'a', it sure seems that it's empty, but upon inspection of the key, it does have a value attached to it! Can we trust this? Expected / unexpected behavior ? -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.