Make any hash dynamic (so that you can access its hash values as properties)

hash_make_dynamic.rb

class Hash
  #
  # Makes the hash dynamic, allowing its hash values to be accessed as if they were properties on the object.
  #
  def make_dynamic(cascade = false, allow_dynamic_new_properties = false)
    self.extend(DynamicAttrs) unless is_a? DynamicAttrs
    @allow_dynamic_new_properties = allow_dynamic_new_properties

    if cascade
      self.each do |key, val|
        if val.is_a? Hash
          val.make_dynamic cascade, allow_dynamic_new_properties
        elsif val.is_a? Array
          val.map {|v| v.make_dynamic(cascade, allow_dynamic_new_properties) if v.is_a? Hash}
        end
      end
    end

    self

  end

  module DynamicAttrs
    def method_missing(key, *args)
      text = key.to_s

      # if setter method
      if (text[-1,1] == '=' and args.length == 1)
        text = text.chop
        # if there is already a text version of the key then set that version
        if self.key? text
          self[text] = args[0]
          # otherwise use the sym version
        elsif self.key? text.to_sym or @allow_dynamic_new_properties
          self[text.to_sym] = args[0]
        else
          super(key, *args)
        end
      elsif args.length == 0
        #if a text version of the key is already set
        if self.key? text
          self[text]
          # else use the symbol version of the key
        elsif self.key? key
          self[key]
        else
          super(key, *args)
        end
      else
        super(key, *args)
      end
    end
  end

end