# Re: question mark at end of method name

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-question-mark-at-end-of-method-name/71177>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [October 5, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-question-mark-at-end-of-method-name/71177 "2006-10-05T21:19:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![phrogz](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/2acd7d/32.png) [@phrogz](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/phrogz)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-question-mark-at-end-of-method-name/71177/1 "2006-10-05T21:19:33Z")

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From: py [[mailto:removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)]

> what does the question mark at the end of a method name represent?  
> i’ve seen what ! does…what is ?

It is a convention that indicates that the method is likely to return a  
boolean value.

! is a convention that indicates that the method is ‘dangerous’,  
possibly modifying the receiving instance or doing other drastic things.