pluralized_consts.rb

module PluralizedConsts
  P = self
  
  def const_missing(sym)
    return super(sym) if Thread.current[:pc_const_missed]
    begin
      super(sym)
    rescue NameError => e
      begin
        Thread.current[:pc_const_missed] = true
        P.full_const_get(self, P.singular_name_for_sym(sym))
      rescue NameError => e2
        # no singular form for the const sym
        raise e
      ensure
        Thread.current[:pc_const_missed] = false
      end
    end
  end
  
  # Note: these methods depend on extlib gem. 
  #       Override for your pleasure.
  def self.singular_name_for_sym(sym)
    sym.to_s.singular
  end
  def self.full_const_get(scope, str)
    scope.full_const_get(str)
  end
end

class <<Object
  include PluralizedConsts
end

#
# Tests
#

if $0 == __FILE__
  
  require 'rubygems'
  require 'extlib'
  
  class Application
    class Person
    end
  end

  class Person
  end
  
  ::Applications == Application or raise "Basic test failed"
  ::People       == Person      or raise "Basic test failed"
  Applications == Application or raise "Basic test failed"
  People       == Person      or raise "Basic test failed"
  
  # Hardcore namespace issues
  Application::People  == Application::Person or raise "Hardcore test failed"
  Applications::Person == Application::Person or raise "Very hardcore test failed"

  # Real tests
  People.new.class == Person or raise "initializer fail"
end