RCR: def method...end return a method object

Ruby
1

Currently if I want to “do something” to a method after it’s defined, I
basically have to do

def method

stuff

end
do_something_to_method :method

(or hook onto method_added).

This is surprising since typically with ruby constructs you can use them
as blocks, like

a.compact{}.uniq.whatever

Proposal:
Change def to return a Method instance [1]

which would allow construct like
def method

end.do_something_to_it

Feedbacks?
-r

[1] http://rcrchive.net/ the idea isn’t new

2

On Dec 31, 2009, at 09:52 , Roger P. wrote:

Currently if I want to “do something” to a method after it’s defined

#method always returns a copy of a method, not the original. Presumably
def would have to do the same thing, rendering it a lot less useful. I’d
rather it return the name defined as a symbol, but honestly I think that
constructs like your example:

def method

end.do_something_to_it

are unclear. Constructs should generally do one thing only. In this
case, define a method.

3

On Dec 31 2009, 10:52 am, Roger P. [email protected] wrote:

Proposal:
Change def to return a Method instance [1]

Also http://oldrcrs.rubypal.com/rcr/show/277
in addition to #15 @ http://rcrchive.net/ (except that it doesn’t seem
to be working right now).