# Re: Symbol#to\_proc is just so beautiful

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-symbol-to-proc-is-just-so-beautiful/94065>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [April 19, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-symbol-to-proc-is-just-so-beautiful/94065 "2006-04-19T20:50:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BergerS\_Daniel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@BergerS\_Daniel](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/BergerS_Daniel)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/re-symbol-to-proc-is-just-so-beautiful/94065/1 "2006-04-19T20:50:10Z")

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> > There must be a way to ditch that ‘&’ somehow. I’d prefer this:  
> > arr.each(&:upcase!)  
> > arr.collect(&:downcase)

I don’t like it. It bugs me. That ampersand is an eye sore in otherwise  
elegant syntax. I also worry about the inevitable, “Does that mean it’s  
a reference?” questions this syntax will generate from newbies.

Maybe, instead of changing Ruby to simplify Enumerable/Array/Hash  
methods (and let’s face it, that’s about 95% of the reason most people  
want this change) we should just, you know, change the  
Enumerable/Array/Hash API to accept symbolic methods for simple  
comparisons.

Just my .02.

Regards,

Dan