Class variables

class_vars.rb

class Foo
  @@klass = "class level variable"
  @klass_instance = "class instance level variable"
end

class Bar < Foo
end


puts Foo.instance_variables.inspect	# => [:@klass_instance]
puts Foo.class_variables.inspect	# => [:@@klass]

puts Foo.instance_variable_get(:@klass_instance)
# => "klass instance level variable"
puts Foo.class_variable_get(:@@klass)
# => "class level variable"

# The class variable is inherited, but the class instance variable is not

puts Bar.instance_variables.inspect	# => []
puts Bar.class_variables.inspect	# => [:@@klass]

# The @@klass variable is shared between all classes in the downward inheritance chain
# So for example:
Foo.class_variable_set(:@@klass, "foo")
puts Bar.class_variable_get(:@@klass)	# => "foo"