Rails - Dec 2007 - what is meant by this: def foo=(foo) ... end?

I saw in episode #75 that creating a method in the Product model will
update attributes related to a different model (Picture):

def picture_attributes=(picture_attributes)
...
end

I''m unclear as to the first line:

def picture_attributes=(picture_attributes)
vs.
def picture_attributes (picture_attributes)

-- 
Anthony Ettinger
408-656-2473
http://anthony.ettinger.name

@pets = Pets.find_all_by_species(''dog'')
@pets.each do |dog| {
    if dog.name == ''Farley''
        dog.nick = ''Sir Barks-A-lot''
    elsif dog.name == ''Bonita''
        dog.nick = ''Princess Boo''
    else
        dog.nick = ''Doggie?''
    end
}

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> On Dec 31, 2007, at 10:57 AM, Anthony Ettinger wrote:
> I saw in episode #75 that creating a method in the Product model will
> update attributes related to a different model (Picture):
>
> def picture_attributes=(picture_attributes)
> ...
> end
>
> I''m unclear as to the first line:
>
> def picture_attributes=(picture_attributes)
> vs.
> def picture_attributes (picture_attributes)
def picture_attributes
defines the setter, whereas

def picture_attributes

defines the getter

It is unusual for a getter to take a parameter because getters are not  
supposed to have side-effects, just return a value. More rubyish names  
for these functions are "accessors" so declaring:

attr_reader :picture_attributes

automagically defines a getter
(http://ruby-doc.org/core/classes/Module.html#M001702
).

attr_writer :picture_attributes

automagically defines a getter that takes one value argument
(http://ruby-doc.org/core/classes/Module.html#M001703
).

attr_accessor :picture_attributes

automagically defines both (http://ruby-doc.org/core/classes/Module.html#M001704
).

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