passing via instance variable or regular ()

def first
    name = "sam"
    last(name)
  end

   def last(first)
     name = first + " " + "jam"
   end

versus

  def first
     <at> name = "sam"
    last
  end

   def last
     name =  <at> name + " " + "jam"
   end

I am new to ruby and programming. I see that both of these ways work.
When I was first starting I tended toward the first way, but lately I
have
been tending toward the second way. Does it make much difference?

edit: saying brand n-3-w means my post contains spam? lol...okay first
starting then.

--

-- 
Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.