inherit_from_self.rb

# Subclass of Module, used for storing methods copied from other
# modules and classes. This lets classes shuffle their methods off
# into a module to we can place other modules in front of the
# class's own methods
class StashModule < Module
  class << self
    def [](id)
      @modules[id]
    end
    
    def save(mod)
      @modules ||= {}
      @modules[mod.__id__] = mod
    end
  end
  
  def initialize
    super
    @stash = {}
    self.class.save(self)
  end
  
  def [](name)
    @stash[name]
  end
  
  def define(source, name)
    mod_id = __id__
    @stash[name] = source.instance_method(name)
    module_eval <<-DEF
      def #{name}(*args, &block)
        m = StashModule[#{mod_id}][#{name.inspect}]
        m.bind(self).call(*args[0...m.arity], &block)
      end
    DEF
  end
end


class Module
  private
  
  # Stash all current methods in a module and add that module to
  # the hierarchy. Permits insertion of new modules "in front" of
  # the module itself so we can override methods using 'include'
  def inherit_from_self!
    stash = StashModule.new
    instance_methods(false).each do |name|
      stash.define(self, name)
      remove_method(name)
    end
    include stash
  end
  
  # Includes a module but places it in front of this module's
  # own methods. The mixin can use 'super' to refer to this module
  def include_in_front(mixin)
    inherit_from_self!
    include mixin
  end
  
  # A more fine-grained approach: overrides a single method and
  # allows you to refer to the old one using 'super'
  def override(name, &block)
    current = StashModule.new
    current.define(self, name)
    include current
    define_method(name, &block)
  end
end


# Example: make a class and a module, mix the module into the
# class and use 'super' to refer to the class's method from the
# mixin. Ordinarily, the class's methods would take precedence
# over those from the module

class Foo
  def initialize(name)
    @name = name
  end
  
  def foo
    @name.upcase
  end
end

puts Foo.new('Mike').foo
#=> "MIKE"

module Helper
  def foo(thing)
    "My name is #{super}! I like #{thing}"
  end
end

class Foo
  include_in_front Helper
end

puts Foo.new('Mike').foo('Ruby!')
#=> "My name is MIKE! I like Ruby!"


# Second example, using override

class Bar
  def talk(item)
    "It's some #{item}"
  end
  
  override :talk do
    super.upcase
  end
end

puts Bar.new.talk('stuff')
#=> "IT'S SOME STUFF"