# Override def method in CGI class, without altering the class

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/override-def-method-in-cgi-class-without-altering-the-class/104936>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [May 24, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/override-def-method-in-cgi-class-without-altering-the-class/104936 "2007-05-24T02:25:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jer\_A](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/779978/32.png) [@Jer\_A](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Jer_A)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/override-def-method-in-cgi-class-without-altering-the-class/104936/1 "2007-05-24T02:25:38Z")

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hello all,

I am a newbie to ruby.

how do I override a method from a particular class (in std class lib),  
just  
for one program, without modifying the class.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

-Jer A.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jer\_A](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/779978/32.png) [@Jer\_A](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Jer_A)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/override-def-method-in-cgi-class-without-altering-the-class/104936/2 "2007-05-24T04:25:47Z")

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Just re-write it in your program where it’s needed.

class Foo  
def bar  
//method to override  
end  
end

Very simple.

- Jer H.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jer\_A](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/779978/32.png) [@Jer\_A](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Jer_A)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 8:07am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/override-def-method-in-cgi-class-without-altering-the-class/104936/3 "2007-05-24T08:07:01Z")

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highlyjhi wrote:

> - Jer H.
> 
> > just for one program, without modifying the class.

Just to clarify, you can define or redefine methods of core classes:

Class String  
def inspect  
“This string’s value is “#{self}””  
end  
end