Ruby String Encoding

encoding.rb

2.1.5 :001 > utf = "".force_encoding("UTF-8")
 => "" 
2.1.5 :002 > utf.encoding
 => #<Encoding:UTF-8> 
2.1.5 :003 > ascii = "".force_encoding("ASCII-8BIT")
 => "" 
2.1.5 :004 > ascii.encoding
 => #<Encoding:ASCII-8BIT> 
2.1.5 :005 > example = "thisIsMyPath".force_encoding("UTF-8")
 => "thisIsMyPath" 
2.1.5 :006 > example.encoding
 => #<Encoding:UTF-8> 
2.1.5 :007 > example1 = ascii + example
 => "thisIsMyPath" 
2.1.5 :008 > example2 = utf + example
 => "thisIsMyPath" 
2.1.5 :009 > example1.encoding
 => #<Encoding:ASCII-8BIT> 
2.1.5 :010 > example2.encoding
 => #<Encoding:UTF-8>