working with Squeak 2.7 we discovered the following situation

#squeak = 'squeak' false
'squeak' = #squeak true

mathematics defines equivalence as a relation that is
    1. reflexive
    2. symmetric
    3. transitive

Well, the above just ain't symmetric.

The problem arises because Strings and Symbols are the
same species of collection. This satisfies the definition
of equivalence that String inherits, whilst Symbol redefines
equivalence to be identity.

My assertion is that in Smalltalk a String should never
be equivalent to a Symbol. (Too much code depends upon
Symbol identity being the same as equivalence.)

Given that, what is the correct course of action...
    1. Make Strings and Symbols different species.
    2. Redefine #= in String to ensure that a string and
    a symbol never are declared equivalent

[ | ] John Sarkela
CTO The Fourth Estate, Inc.