On Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 5:41 AM, Matt Wynne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Sorry, I know this is off-topic, but I'd really like to know what the > revered ruby-hackers who read this list think. > > See > http://ozmm.org/posts/class__self_is_harmful.html > > I have adopted class << self, partly from reading RSpec and Cucumber's code > as I learn Ruby. I personally think of class methods (or 'static' methods) > as being in a kind of 'holding pen' waiting to be factored off onto a proper > class of their own, so I rather like the clear way you can group them in a > 'nameless' metaclass ready for the exit door. > The nature of class methods in Ruby (as instance methods of the class's eigenclass) is for most purposes an implementation detail. It adds nothing to understanding to open the eigenclass inside the class's definition in order to add class methods. It may save some typing, and it does help when searching (as David) says. Nevertheless, I regard the practice as a bit of an affection - 'look at me, ma, I'm opening the eigenclass!' - or as the imitation of an affection. It confuses newbies to no purpose, and confuses everyone when 'class << self' has scrolled off the top of the screen. It's recommended against in The Ruby Programming Language (of course, there are exceptions to every rule). ///
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