Convert Hash Key Strings To Symbols If They Look Like Them.

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        Ever read in a YAML file that has symbols in it, but the symbols end up as Strings (eg: ":foo" instead of :foo)?  Here's your solution.  Hash#key_strings_to_symbols!

class Hash
  # Recursively replace key names that should be symbols with symbols.
  def key_strings_to_symbols!
    r = Hash.new
    self.each_pair do |k,v|
      if ((k.kind_of? String) and k =~ /^:/)
        v.key_strings_to_symbols! if v.kind_of? Hash and v.respond_to? :key_strings_to_symbols!
        r[k.slice(1..-1).to_sym] = v
      else
        v.key_strings_to_symbols! if v.kind_of? Hash and v.respond_to? :key_strings_to_symbols!
        r[k] = v
      end
    end
    self.replace(r)
  end
end

Tags:
• hash
• Ruby
• symbols