Ruby-style enums

gistfile1.rb

class DataType

	def self.STRING
	 :STRING
	end

	def self.DATE
	 :DATE
	end

	def self.UNKNOWN
	 :UNKNOWN
	end
	
	def self.NUMERIC
	 :NUMERIC
	end

end

By using a class with class methods that return but do not accept a symbol, I can get very close to what is offer by a constant, or an enum in a static language such as C# or Java. If I just used symbols, I’d run the risk of making a typo which may or may not surface as a runtime error. If I mis-type these names, a syntax error will ensue, which is close enough to a compile-time error for me.

Forked!

Please don't take me like I'm trying to one-up or trying to be a jerk here... I just LOVE to go over code with people! :)