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>> TO_STRING is used by the printer and must return a string. All >> foreign objects are printed in hash notation. > > I prefer the print going to a port actually, > for big objects is doesn't thrash memory and if you really want a string > then you can write a `string port' (equivalent to C++ strstream). Another reason is that if the to_string method knows the destination port, it can be more intelligent about what it prints. For example if the port is doing pretty-printing, the to_string method can insert appropriate grouping and break markers into the output stream. In the port represents a GUI window, perhaps the object can use an appropriate font or image. E.g. when displaying a PNG image object, it could just "print" the image on the window. --Per Bothner Cygnus Solutions bothner@cygnus.com http://www.cygnus.com/~bothner