Array#pack always returns new allocated String, but sometimes users want to use prepared buffer, especially the packed size is too large.
I often uses Fiddle to call OS APIs, and encounter this problem as every time.
I recommend to add keyword arguments for the purpose.

buf = '\0'*(32 * 1024 * 1024)
# ...
ary.pack(LONG_FORMAT, buffer: buf, offset: 4 * 1024) # returns `buf`

Array#pack provides @ for offset.

• Tracker changed from Bug to Feature

Accepted.

Matz.

• Status changed from Open to Closed