Create 2015-01-13-opal-0-9-2.html.md

source/blog/2016-01-13-opal-0-9-2.html.md

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+---
+title: "Opal 0.9.2: direct JS calls, console.rb, numeric updates, better reflection, and fixes aplenty"
+date: 2016/01/13
+author: Jared White
+---
+
+Opal is now officially on the 0.9.x release path, having just released [0.9.2](https://github.com/opal/opal/tree/v0.9.2). Thanks to all the [contributors to Opal](https://github.com/opal/opal/graphs/contributors?from=2015-04-30&to=2016-01-13&type=c), especially over the holidays, and we're excited for what the new year will bring to the Opal community. Some highlights from the latest release:
+
+### Direct calling of JavaScript methods
+
+You can now make direct JavaScript method calls on native JS objects using the `recv.JS.method` syntax. Has support for method calls, final callback (as a block), property getter and setter (via `#[]` and `#[]=`), splats, JavaScript keywords (via the `::JS` module) and global functions (after `require "js"`).
+
+Some examples, first a simple method call:
+
+```ruby
+# javascript: foo.bar()
+foo.JS.bar
+foo.JS.bar()
+```
+<!--preview-->
+Arguments just like Ruby, with or without parentheses:
+
+```ruby
+# JavaScript: foo.bar(1, "a")
+foo.JS.bar(1, :a)
+foo.JS.bar 1, :a
+```
+
+Argument splats (doesn't that Ruby just look great?):
+
+```ruby
+# JavaScript: ($a = foo).bar.apply($a, [1].concat([2, 3]))
+foo.JS.bar(1, *[2, 3])
+foo.JS.bar 1, *[2, 3]
+```
+
+Properties work too!
+
+```ruby
+# JavaScript: foo["bar"]
+foo.JS[:bar]
+
+# JavaScript: fooarr[2]
+fooarr.JS[2]
+```
+
+That's just the beginning, and should prove to be a great new way to write down-to-JS-level code without interrupting the flow of your Ruby code. [Read the in-depth documentation here](http://opalrb.org/docs/guides/v0.9.2/compiled_ruby.html) (scroll down to the **Calling JavaScript Methods** section). 
+
+### Console wrapper added to the stdlib
+
+Requiring the new console wrapper will make available the `$console` global variable. [Check out the docs here](http://opalrb.org/docs/api/v0.9.2/stdlib/Console.html). Example:
+
+```ruby
+require 'console'
+$console.log a: 1, b: {c: 3}
+```
+
+_Note:_ Be advised that `Kernel#pp` no longer forwards arguments directly to `console.log`.
+
+### Updates to Numeric, Complex, and Rational
+
+`Numeric` semantics are now compliant with Ruby, and both `Complex` and `Rational` have been fully implemented.
+
+### Better reflection, exception handling, and method_missing-powered operators
+
+Some updates to Ruby reflection support to allow for deeper metaprogramming abilities. These all are now working: `method_added`, `method_removed`, `method_undefined`, `singleton_method_added`, `singleton_method_removed` and `singleton_method_undefined`.
+
+Improvements to exception handling as well: `Exception#exception`, `Exception::exception`, `Exception#message`, and `Exception#to_s` are fully implemented.
+
+Operator methods (e.g. `+`, `<`, etc.) can be handled by `method_missing`. _Note:_ always be aware of possible performance penalties when not using Opal's optimized operators.
+
+### Bug fixes and more!
+
+As always, Opal 0.9.2 includes many bug fixes and improvements to the internals of the Opal libraries, so be sure to [read the changelog](https://github.com/opal/opal/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#092-2016-01-10) for further details (as well as information on changes throughout the 0.8.x releases if you didn't see those previously).