gistfile1.ru

  def initialize item
    # set the item instance variable
    @item = item
    
    # grab the item's attributes from its yaml file 
    attributes = File.expand_path('content' + item.identifier.gsub(/\/$/,'') + '.yaml')
    
    # load the yaml data into a hash and grab just the attribute 
    # names, not the values
    attributes = File.open(attributes) { |a| YAML::load(a) }.keys
    
    # create an instance variable and an accessor method for each 
    # attribute on the fly
    attributes.each do |a|
      instance_variable_set("@#{a}", item[a.to_sym])
      instance_eval %{
        def #{a}
          instance_variable_get("@#{a}")
        end
      }
    end
  end