At Tue, 19 Dec 2000 22:40:02 +0900,
Jim Menard wrote:

> but I don't want to require such a file in every script I write and I don't
> want other coders to have to inherit scripts where I've noodled with nil.

seems you already know everything I know, so there isn't much to add.

and you clearly stated that you like lazy instantiation. But, what if
you change that?

I mean, if you instancicate hash at initialize(), for example, you can
eliminate the nil check, _and_ you don't have to add methods to
NilClass.

I know it's a trade off, but with initialization, I think the code can
be clearer.

oh, and don't forget memory is still, and most certainly will be,
getting cheaper and cheaper as well as cpu, but code stays ;)

my 2 cents.

# matz's ruby book is also recommending to initialize.
--
          yashi