cascading-configuration-hash 1.1.4 → 1.1.5

data/lib/cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/LocalConfigurationHash.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+
+class CascadingConfiguration::LocalConfigurationHash < Hash
+  
+  attr_accessor  :exclude_array
+  
+  ################
+  #  initialize  #
+  ################
+
+  def initialize()
+    @exclude_array = ::Array.new
+  end
+  
+  #########
+  #  []=  #
+  #########
+
+  def []=( key, value )
+    super
+    remove_from_exclude_array( key )
+  end
+
+  ###########
+  #  store  #
+  ###########
+
+  def store( key, value )
+    self[ key ] = value
+  end
+
+  ############
+  #  delete  #
+  ############
+
+  def delete( key )
+    value = super
+    add_to_exclude_array( key )
+    return value
+  end
+
+  ############
+  #  merge!  #
+  ############
+  
+  def merge!( other_hash )
+    super
+    remove_from_exclude_array( *other_hash.keys )
+    return self
+  end
+  
+  #############
+  #  replace  #
+  #############
+  
+  def replace( other_hash )
+    add_to_exclude_array( *self.keys )
+    super
+  end
+
+  ###########
+  #  shift  #
+  ###########
+  
+  def shift
+    element = super
+    add_to_exclude_array( element )
+    return element
+  end
+
+  ###########
+  #  clear  #
+  ###########
+  
+  def clear
+    # add all existing values to exclude array
+    self.each do |this_key, this_value|
+      delete( this_key )
+    end
+    # clear existing values
+    super
+  end
+
+end

data/lib/cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/_private_/CompositingHash.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+
+class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash < Hash
+  
+  ###########################################################################################################
+      private ###############################################################################################
+  ###########################################################################################################
+
+  ########################################
+  #  update_self_as_cascading_composite  #
+  ########################################
+
+  def update_self_as_cascading_composite
+    # start fresh
+    super_clear
+		update_composite_self_for_parent_hash( @parent_composite_hash, @local_cascading_hash )
+    # remove local exclude
+    unless @local_cascading_hash.exclude_array.empty?
+      @local_cascading_hash.exclude_array.each do |this_excluded_element|
+        super_delete( this_excluded_element )
+      end
+    end
+    # notify children to update their composite status
+    update_child_composite_arrays
+    return self
+  end
+  
+  ######################################
+  #  update_adding_composite_elements  #
+  ######################################
+
+  def update_adding_composite_elements( elements_to_cascade )
+		update_composite_self_for_parent_hash( self, elements_to_cascade )
+    update_child_composite_arrays
+		return self
+  end
+
+  ###########################################
+  #  update_composite_self_for_parent_hash  #
+  ###########################################
+
+	def update_composite_self_for_parent_hash( parent_hash, second_hash )
+		if compositing_proc = @working_class::AccessorSupportModule.get_compositing_proc( @cascading_name )
+			# if we have a compositing proc defined, use its result to replace
+			parent_hash_copy = Hash.new
+			parent_hash_copy.merge!( parent_hash ) if parent_hash
+			second_hash_copy = Hash.new
+			second_hash_copy.merge!( second_hash ) if second_hash
+			composite_result = compositing_proc.call( parent_hash_copy, second_hash_copy )
+			super_replace( composite_result )
+		else
+			# otherwise we simply merge
+	    super_merge!( parent_hash ) if parent_hash
+	    super_merge!( second_hash ) if second_hash
+		end
+		return self
+	end
+
+  ########################################
+  #  update_removing_composite_elements  #
+  ########################################
+
+  def update_removing_composite_elements( *elements_to_exclude )
+    elements_to_exclude.each do |this_key|
+      super_delete( this_key )
+    end
+    update_child_composite_arrays
+  end
+
+  ###################################
+  #  update_child_composite_arrays  #
+  ###################################
+  
+  def update_child_composite_arrays
+    @child_composite_hashes.each do |this_composite_hash|
+      this_composite_hash.instance_eval { update_self_as_cascading_composite }
+    end
+  end
+    
+end

data/lib/cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/_private_/LocalConfigurationHash.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+
+class CascadingConfiguration::LocalConfigurationHash < Hash
+
+  ###########################################################################################################
+      private ###############################################################################################
+  ###########################################################################################################
+
+  ##########################
+  #  add_to_exclude_array  #
+  ##########################
+
+  def add_to_exclude_array( *elements )
+    @exclude_array ||= ::Array.new
+    @exclude_array += elements
+    @exclude_array.sort!.uniq!
+  end
+
+  ###############################
+  #  remove_from_exclude_array  #
+  ###############################
+
+  def remove_from_exclude_array( *elements )
+    if @exclude_array
+      @exclude_array -= elements
+      @exclude_array.sort!.uniq!
+    else
+      @exclude_array ||= ::Array.new
+    end
+  end
+  
+end

data/lib/cascading-configuration-hash.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+
+if $cascading_configuration_development
+	require_relative '../../variable/lib/cascading-configuration-variable.rb'
+else
+	require 'cascading-configuration-variable'
+end
+
+module CascadingConfiguration
+  class CompositingHash < Hash
+    module Instance
+    end
+  end
+  class LocalConfigurationHash < Hash
+  end
+  module Hash
+    module Accessors
+    end
+    module ClassInstance
+    end
+    module ObjectInstance
+    end
+    module ModuleInstance
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/CompositingHash.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/_private_/CompositingHash.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/CompositingHash/Instance.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/LocalConfigurationHash.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/_private_/LocalConfigurationHash.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/Hash.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/Hash/Accessors.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/Hash/ClassInstance.rb'
+require_relative 'cascading-configuration-hash/CascadingConfiguration/Hash/ModuleInstance.rb'

data/spec/CascadingConfiguration/CascadingCompositeHash_spec.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,402 @@
+
+require_relative '../../lib/cascading-configuration-hash.rb'
+
+describe CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash do
+
+  #########
+  #  []=  #
+  #########
+
+  it 'can add elements' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash[ :some_setting ] = :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash[ :other_setting ] = :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                                              :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash[ :another_setting ] = :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting    => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting   => :some_value,
+                                         :another_setting => :some_value }
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting    => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting   => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash[ :yet_another_setting ] = :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting        => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock01sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting        => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash[ :and_still_another_setting ] = :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting              => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting             => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+  end
+
+  ###########
+  #  store  #
+  ###########
+
+  it 'can add elements' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.store( :some_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.store(  :other_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                                              :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.store( :another_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting    => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting   => :some_value,
+                                         :another_setting => :some_value }
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting    => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting   => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.store( :yet_another_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting        => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock02sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting        => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.store( :and_still_another_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting              => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting             => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+  end
+
+  ############
+  #  delete  #
+  ############
+
+  it 'can exclude elements' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.store( :some_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.delete( :some_setting ).should == :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.store(  :other_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.delete( :other_setting ).should == :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.exclude_array.should == [ :other_setting ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.delete( :other_setting ).should == :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.exclude_array.should == [ :other_setting ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock03sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.store( :and_still_another_setting, :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.delete( :and_still_another_setting ).should == :some_value
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+  end
+
+  ############
+  #  merge!  #
+  ############
+  
+  it 'can merge from another hash' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.merge!( :some_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.merge!( :other_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                                                                                       :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting  => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.merge!( :another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting    => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting   => :some_value,
+                                         :another_setting => :some_value }
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting    => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting   => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.merge!( :yet_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting        => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock04sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting        => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.merge!( :and_still_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting              => :some_value,
+                                         :other_setting             => :some_value,
+                                         :yet_another_setting       => :some_value,
+                                         :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+  end
+  
+  #############
+  #  replace  #
+  #############
+  
+  it 'can replace existing elements with others' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :some_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :other_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting   => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :yet_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock05sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :and_still_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+  end
+
+  ###########
+  #  shift  #
+  ###########
+  
+  it 'can shift the first element' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :some_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :some_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :other_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :other_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :other_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :other_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :another_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :other_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting   => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :other_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :yet_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :yet_another_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock06sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :yet_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :yet_another_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :and_still_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.shift.should == [ :and_still_another_setting, :some_value ]
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+  end
+
+  ###########
+  #  clear  #
+  ###########
+  
+  it 'can clear, causing present elements to be excluded' do
+    # primary class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07
+      include CascadingConfiguration::Variable
+      include CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Instance
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :some_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :some_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.clear
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :other_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :other_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.clear
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.clear
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # inheriting class
+    class CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07sub1 < CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07
+    end
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07sub1
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :yet_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :yet_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.clear
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    # instance
+    working_instance = CascadingConfiguration::CompositingHash::Mock07sub1.new
+    cascading_composite_hash = working_instance.composite_hash_for_cascading_configuration( :some_configuration )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+    cascading_composite_hash.replace( :and_still_another_setting => :some_value )
+    cascading_composite_hash.local_cascading_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == { :and_still_another_setting => :some_value }
+    cascading_composite_hash.clear
+    cascading_composite_hash.should == {}
+  end
+  
+end