Cleaned up code supporting Ruby < 2.0
diff --git a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/bytes.rb b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/bytes.rb
index 169a950..1c9922d 100644
--- a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/bytes.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/bytes.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # encoding: ascii-8bit
-# 
+#
 # Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
 # or more contributor license agreements. See the NOTICE file
 # distributed with this work for additional information
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 # to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
 # "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
 # with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
-# 
+#
 #   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-# 
+#
 # Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
 # software distributed under the License is distributed on an
 # "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
@@ -21,111 +21,78 @@
 module Thrift
   # A collection of utilities for working with bytes and byte buffers.
   module Bytes
-    if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-      # Creates and empty byte buffer (String with BINARY encoding)
-      #
-      # size - The Integer size of the buffer (default: nil) to create
-      #
-      # Returns a String with BINARY encoding, filled with null characters
-      # if size is greater than zero
-      def self.empty_byte_buffer(size = nil)
-        if (size && size > 0)
-          "\0".b * size
-        else
-          "".b
-        end
+    # Creates and empty byte buffer (String with BINARY encoding)
+    #
+    # size - The Integer size of the buffer (default: nil) to create
+    #
+    # Returns a String with BINARY encoding, filled with null characters
+    # if size is greater than zero
+    def self.empty_byte_buffer(size = nil)
+      if (size && size > 0)
+        "\0".b * size
+      else
+        ''.b
       end
+    end
 
-      # Forces the encoding of the buffer to BINARY. If the buffer
-      # passed is frozen, then it will be duplicated.
-      #
-      # buffer - The String to force the encoding of.
-      #
-      # Returns the String passed with an encoding of BINARY; returned
-      # String may be a duplicate.
-      def self.force_binary_encoding(buffer)
-        buffer = buffer.dup if buffer.frozen?
-        buffer.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY)
-      end
+    # Forces the encoding of the buffer to BINARY. If the buffer
+    # passed is frozen, then it will be duplicated.
+    #
+    # buffer - The String to force the encoding of.
+    #
+    # Returns the String passed with an encoding of BINARY; returned
+    # String may be a duplicate.
+    def self.force_binary_encoding(buffer)
+      buffer = buffer.dup if buffer.frozen?
+      buffer.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY)
+    end
 
-      # Gets the byte value of a given position in a String.
-      #
-      # string - The String to retrive the byte value from.
-      # index  - The Integer location of the byte value to retrieve.
-      #
-      # Returns an Integer value between 0 and 255.
-      def self.get_string_byte(string, index)
-        string.getbyte(index)
-      end
+    # Gets the byte value of a given position in a String.
+    #
+    # string - The String to retrive the byte value from.
+    # index  - The Integer location of the byte value to retrieve.
+    #
+    # Returns an Integer value between 0 and 255.
+    def self.get_string_byte(string, index)
+      string.getbyte(index)
+    end
 
-      # Sets the byte value given to a given index in a String.
-      #
-      # string - The String to set the byte value in.
-      # index  - The Integer location to set the byte value at.
-      # byte   - The Integer value (0 to 255) to set in the string.
-      #
-      # Returns an Integer value of the byte value to set.
-      def self.set_string_byte(string, index, byte)
-        string.setbyte(index, byte)
-      end
+    # Sets the byte value given to a given index in a String.
+    #
+    # string - The String to set the byte value in.
+    # index  - The Integer location to set the byte value at.
+    # byte   - The Integer value (0 to 255) to set in the string.
+    #
+    # Returns an Integer value of the byte value to set.
+    def self.set_string_byte(string, index, byte)
+      string.setbyte(index, byte)
+    end
 
-      # Converts the given String to a UTF-8 byte buffer.
-      #
-      # string - The String to convert.
-      #
-      # Returns a new String with BINARY encoding, containing the UTF-8
-      # bytes of the original string.
-      def self.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer(string)
-        if string.encoding != Encoding::UTF_8
-          # transcode to UTF-8
-          string = string.encode(Encoding::UTF_8)
-        else
-          # encoding is already UTF-8, but a duplicate is needed
-          string = string.dup
-        end
-        string.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY)
+    # Converts the given String to a UTF-8 byte buffer.
+    #
+    # string - The String to convert.
+    #
+    # Returns a new String with BINARY encoding, containing the UTF-8
+    # bytes of the original string.
+    def self.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer(string)
+      if string.encoding != Encoding::UTF_8
+        # transcode to UTF-8
+        string = string.encode(Encoding::UTF_8)
+      else
+        # encoding is already UTF-8, but a duplicate is needed
+        string = string.dup
       end
+      string.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY)
+    end
 
-      # Converts the given UTF-8 byte buffer into a String
-      #
-      # utf8_buffer - A String, with BINARY encoding, containing UTF-8 bytes
-      #
-      # Returns a new String with UTF-8 encoding,
-      def self.convert_to_string(utf8_buffer)
-        # duplicate the buffer, force encoding to UTF-8
-        utf8_buffer.dup.force_encoding(Encoding::UTF_8)
-      end
-    else
-      def self.empty_byte_buffer(size = nil)
-        if (size && size > 0)
-          "\0" * size
-        else
-          ''
-        end
-      end
-
-      def self.force_binary_encoding(buffer)
-        buffer
-      end
-
-      def self.get_string_byte(string, index)
-        string[index]
-      end
-
-      def self.set_string_byte(string, index, byte)
-        string[index] = byte
-      end
-
-      def self.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer(string)
-        # This assumes $KCODE is 'UTF8'/'U', which would mean the String is already a UTF-8 byte buffer
-        # TODO consider handling other $KCODE values and transcoding with iconv
-        string
-      end
-
-      def self.convert_to_string(utf8_buffer)
-        # See comment in 'convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer' for relevant assumptions.
-        utf8_buffer
-      end
+    # Converts the given UTF-8 byte buffer into a String
+    #
+    # utf8_buffer - A String, with BINARY encoding, containing UTF-8 bytes
+    #
+    # Returns a new String with UTF-8 encoding,
+    def self.convert_to_string(utf8_buffer)
+      # duplicate the buffer, force encoding to UTF-8
+      utf8_buffer.dup.force_encoding(Encoding::UTF_8)
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/base_protocol.rb b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/base_protocol.rb
index dfce44a..f2ee8dd 100644
--- a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/base_protocol.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/base_protocol.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# 
+#
 # Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
 # or more contributor license agreements. See the NOTICE file
 # distributed with this work for additional information
@@ -6,16 +6,16 @@
 # to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
 # "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
 # with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
-# 
+#
 #   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-# 
+#
 # Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
 # software distributed under the License is distributed on an
 # "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
 # KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the
 # specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
-# 
+#
 
 # this require is to make generated struct definitions happy
 require 'set'
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
       raise NotImplementedError
     end
 
-    # Writes a Thrift String. In Ruby 1.9+, the String passed will be transcoded to UTF-8.
+    # Writes a Thrift String. The String passed will be transcoded to UTF-8.
     #
     # str - The String to write.
     #
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@
       raise NotImplementedError
     end
 
-    # Writes a Thrift Binary (Thrift String with no encoding). In Ruby 1.9+, the String passed
+    # Writes a Thrift Binary (Thrift String with no encoding). The String passed
     # will forced into BINARY encoding.
     #
     # buf - The String to write.
@@ -206,14 +206,14 @@
       raise NotImplementedError
     end
 
-    # Reads a Thrift String. In Ruby 1.9+, all Strings will be returned with an Encoding of UTF-8.
+    # Reads a Thrift String. All Strings will be returned with an Encoding of UTF-8.
     #
     # Returns a String.
     def read_string
       raise NotImplementedError
     end
 
-    # Reads a Thrift Binary (Thrift String without encoding). In Ruby 1.9+, all Strings will be returned
+    # Reads a Thrift Binary (Thrift String without encoding). All Strings will be returned
     # with an Encoding of BINARY.
     #
     # Returns a String.
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@
         raise ProtocolException.new(ProtocolException::INVALID_DATA, 'Invalid data')
       end
     end
-    
+
     def to_s
       "#{trans.to_s}"
     end
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@
     def get_protocol(trans)
       raise NotImplementedError
     end
-    
+
     def to_s
       "base"
     end
diff --git a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/json_protocol.rb b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/json_protocol.rb
index 09e3166..84f7fc8 100644
--- a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/json_protocol.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/protocol/json_protocol.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # encoding: UTF-8
-# 
+#
 # Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
 # or more contributor license agreements. See the NOTICE file
 # distributed with this work for additional information
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 # to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
 # "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
 # with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
-# 
+#
 #   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-# 
+#
 # Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
 # software distributed under the License is distributed on an
 # "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
@@ -504,11 +504,7 @@
       str += @reader.read
       str += @reader.read
       str += @reader.read
-      if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-        str.hex.chr(Encoding::UTF_8)
-      else
-        str.hex.chr
-      end
+      str.hex.chr(Encoding::UTF_8)
     end
 
     # Decodes a JSON string, including unescaping, and returns the string via str
diff --git a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/transport/base_transport.rb b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/transport/base_transport.rb
index 12dd673..891b10e 100644
--- a/lib/rb/lib/thrift/transport/base_transport.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/lib/thrift/transport/base_transport.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # encoding: ascii-8bit
-# 
+#
 # Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
 # or more contributor license agreements. See the NOTICE file
 # distributed with this work for additional information
@@ -7,16 +7,16 @@
 # to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
 # "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
 # with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
-# 
+#
 #   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-# 
+#
 # Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
 # software distributed under the License is distributed on an
 # "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
 # KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the
 # specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
-# 
+#
 
 module Thrift
   class TransportException < Exception
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@
 
   class BaseTransport
     def open?; end
-    
+
     def open; end
 
     def close; end
 
-    # Reads a number of bytes from the transports. In Ruby 1.9+, the String returned will have a BINARY (aka ASCII8BIT) encoding.
+    # Reads a number of bytes from the transports. The String returned will have a BINARY (aka ASCII-8BIT) encoding.
     #
     # sz - The number of bytes to read from the transport.
     #
@@ -86,11 +86,11 @@
         chunk = read(size - buf.length)
         buf << chunk
       end
-    
+
       buf
     end
 
-    # Writes the byte buffer to the transport. In Ruby 1.9+, the buffer will be forced into BINARY encoding.
+    # Writes the byte buffer to the transport. The buffer will be forced into BINARY encoding.
     #
     # buf - A String acting as a byte buffer.
     #
@@ -104,12 +104,12 @@
       "base"
     end
   end
-  
+
   class BaseTransportFactory
     def get_transport(trans)
       return trans
     end
-    
+
     def to_s
       "base"
     end
diff --git a/lib/rb/spec/binary_protocol_spec_shared.rb b/lib/rb/spec/binary_protocol_spec_shared.rb
index c83f5ae..d8edf85 100644
--- a/lib/rb/spec/binary_protocol_spec_shared.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/spec/binary_protocol_spec_shared.rb
@@ -38,25 +38,25 @@
 
   it "should make strict_write readable" do
     expect(@prot.strict_write).to eql(true)
-  end    
+  end
 
   it "should write the message header" do
     @prot.write_message_begin('testMessage', Thrift::MessageTypes::CALL, 17)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq([protocol_class.const_get(:VERSION_1) | Thrift::MessageTypes::CALL, "testMessage".size, "testMessage", 17].pack("NNa11N"))
   end
-  
+
   it "should write the message header without version when writes are not strict" do
     @prot = protocol_class.new(@trans, true, false) # no strict write
     @prot.write_message_begin('testMessage', Thrift::MessageTypes::CALL, 17)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq("\000\000\000\vtestMessage\001\000\000\000\021")
   end
-  
+
   it "should write the message header with a version when writes are strict" do
     @prot = protocol_class.new(@trans) # strict write
     @prot.write_message_begin('testMessage', Thrift::MessageTypes::CALL, 17)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq("\200\001\000\001\000\000\000\vtestMessage\000\000\000\021")
   end
-  
+
 
   # message footer is a noop
 
@@ -64,44 +64,44 @@
     @prot.write_field_begin('foo', Thrift::Types::DOUBLE, 3)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq([Thrift::Types::DOUBLE, 3].pack("cn"))
   end
-  
+
   # field footer is a noop
-  
+
   it "should write the STOP field" do
     @prot.write_field_stop
     expect(@trans.read(1)).to eq("\000")
   end
-  
+
   it "should write the map header" do
     @prot.write_map_begin(Thrift::Types::STRING, Thrift::Types::LIST, 17)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq([Thrift::Types::STRING, Thrift::Types::LIST, 17].pack("ccN"));
   end
-   
+
   # map footer is a noop
-  
+
   it "should write the list header" do
     @prot.write_list_begin(Thrift::Types::I16, 42)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq([Thrift::Types::I16, 42].pack("cN"))
   end
-  
+
   # list footer is a noop
-  
+
   it "should write the set header" do
     @prot.write_set_begin(Thrift::Types::I16, 42)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq([Thrift::Types::I16, 42].pack("cN"))
   end
-  
+
   it "should write a bool" do
     @prot.write_bool(true)
     @prot.write_bool(false)
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq("\001\000")
   end
-  
+
   it "should treat a nil bool as false" do
     @prot.write_bool(nil)
     expect(@trans.read(1)).to eq("\000")
   end
-  
+
   it "should write a byte" do
     # byte is small enough, let's check -128..127
     (-128..127).each do |i|
@@ -120,11 +120,11 @@
   it "errors out with a Bignum" do
     expect { @prot.write_byte(2**65) }.to raise_error(RangeError)
   end
-  
+
   it "should error gracefully when trying to write a nil byte" do
     expect { @prot.write_byte(nil) }.to raise_error(StandardError, 'nil argument not allowed!')
   end
-  
+
   it "should write an i16" do
     # try a random scattering of values
     # include the signed i16 minimum/maximum
@@ -133,17 +133,17 @@
     end
     # and try something out of signed range, it should clip
     @prot.write_i16(2**15 + 5)
-    
+
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq("\200\000\374\000\000\021\000\000\330\360\006\273\177\377\200\005")
-    
+
     # a Bignum should error
     # lambda { @prot.write_i16(2**65) }.should raise_error(RangeError)
   end
-  
+
   it "should error gracefully when trying to write a nil i16" do
     expect { @prot.write_i16(nil) }.to raise_error(StandardError, 'nil argument not allowed!')
   end
-  
+
   it "should write an i32" do
     # try a random scattering of values
     # include the signed i32 minimum/maximum
@@ -153,14 +153,14 @@
     # try something out of signed range, it should clip
     expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq("\200\000\000\000" + "\377\376\037\r" + "\377\377\366\034" + "\377\377\377\375" + "\000\000\000\000" + "\000#\340\203" + "\000\0000+" + "\177\377\377\377")
     [2 ** 31 + 5, 2 ** 65 + 5].each do |i|
-      expect { @prot.write_i32(i) }.to raise_error(RangeError)  
+      expect { @prot.write_i32(i) }.to raise_error(RangeError)
     end
   end
-  
+
   it "should error gracefully when trying to write a nil i32" do
     expect { @prot.write_i32(nil) }.to raise_error(StandardError, 'nil argument not allowed!')
   end
-  
+
   it "should write an i64" do
     # try a random scattering of values
     # try the signed i64 minimum/maximum
@@ -179,11 +179,11 @@
       "\177\377\377\377\377\377\377\377"].join(""))
     expect { @prot.write_i64(2 ** 65 + 5) }.to raise_error(RangeError)
   end
-  
+
   it "should error gracefully when trying to write a nil i64" do
     expect { @prot.write_i64(nil) }.to raise_error(StandardError, 'nil argument not allowed!')
   end
-  
+
   it "should write a double" do
     # try a random scattering of values, including min/max
     values = [Float::MIN,-1231.15325, -123123.23, -23.23515123, 0, 12351.1325, 523.23, Float::MAX]
@@ -192,58 +192,42 @@
       expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq([f].pack("G"))
     end
   end
-  
+
   it "should error gracefully when trying to write a nil double" do
     expect { @prot.write_double(nil) }.to raise_error(StandardError, 'nil argument not allowed!')
   end
 
-  if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-    it 'should write a string' do
-      str = 'abc'
-      @prot.write_string(str)
-      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63])
-    end
+  it 'should write a string' do
+    str = 'abc'
+    @prot.write_string(str)
+    a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63])
+  end
 
-    it 'should write a string with unicode characters' do
-      str = "abc \u20AC \u20AD".encode('UTF-8')
-      @prot.write_string(str)
-      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x0B, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63, 0x20,
-                                0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC, 0x20, 0xE2, 0x82, 0xAD])
-    end
+  it 'should write a string with unicode characters' do
+    str = "abc \u20AC \u20AD".encode('UTF-8')
+    @prot.write_string(str)
+    a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x0B, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63, 0x20,
+                              0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC, 0x20, 0xE2, 0x82, 0xAD])
+  end
 
-    it 'should write should write a string with unicode characters and transcoding' do
-      str = "abc \u20AC".encode('ISO-8859-15')
-      @prot.write_string(str)
-      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x07, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63, 0x20, 0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC])
-    end
+  it 'should write should write a string with unicode characters and transcoding' do
+    str = "abc \u20AC".encode('ISO-8859-15')
+    @prot.write_string(str)
+    a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x07, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63, 0x20, 0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC])
+  end
 
-    it 'should write a binary string' do
-      buffer = [0, 1, 2, 3].pack('C*')
-      @prot.write_binary(buffer)
-      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04, 0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03])
-    end
-  else
-    it 'should write a string' do
-      str = 'abc'
-      @prot.write_string(str)
-      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63])
-    end
-
-    it 'should write a binary string' do
-      buffer = [0, 1, 2, 3].pack('C*')
-      @prot.write_binary(buffer)
-      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04, 0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03])
-    end
+  it 'should write a binary string' do
+    buffer = [0, 1, 2, 3].pack('C*')
+    @prot.write_binary(buffer)
+    a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04, 0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03])
   end
 
   it "should error gracefully when trying to write a nil string" do
@@ -300,36 +284,36 @@
     @trans.write([Thrift::Types::DOUBLE, Thrift::Types::I64, 42].pack("ccN"))
     expect(@prot.read_map_begin).to eq([Thrift::Types::DOUBLE, Thrift::Types::I64, 42])
   end
-  
+
   # map footer is a noop
-  
+
   it "should read a list header" do
     @trans.write([Thrift::Types::STRING, 17].pack("cN"))
     expect(@prot.read_list_begin).to eq([Thrift::Types::STRING, 17])
   end
-  
+
   # list footer is a noop
-  
+
   it "should read a set header" do
     @trans.write([Thrift::Types::STRING, 17].pack("cN"))
     expect(@prot.read_set_begin).to eq([Thrift::Types::STRING, 17])
   end
-  
+
   # set footer is a noop
-  
+
   it "should read a bool" do
     @trans.write("\001\000");
     expect(@prot.read_bool).to eq(true)
     expect(@prot.read_bool).to eq(false)
   end
-  
+
   it "should read a byte" do
     [-128, -57, -3, 0, 17, 24, 127].each do |i|
       @trans.write([i].pack("c"))
       expect(@prot.read_byte).to eq(i)
     end
   end
-  
+
   it "should read an i16" do
     # try a scattering of values, including min/max
     [-2**15, -5237, -353, 0, 1527, 2234, 2**15-1].each do |i|
@@ -337,7 +321,7 @@
       expect(@prot.read_i16).to eq(i)
     end
   end
-  
+
   it "should read an i32" do
     # try a scattering of values, including min/max
     [-2**31, -235125, -6236, 0, 2351, 123123, 2**31-1].each do |i|
@@ -345,7 +329,7 @@
       expect(@prot.read_i32).to eq(i)
     end
   end
-  
+
   it "should read an i64" do
     # try a scattering of values, including min/max
     [-2**63, -123512312, -6346, 0, 32, 2346322323, 2**63-1].each do |i|
@@ -353,7 +337,7 @@
       expect(@prot.read_i64).to eq(i)
     end
   end
-  
+
   it "should read a double" do
     # try a random scattering of values, including min/max
     [Float::MIN, -231231.12351, -323.233513, 0, 123.2351235, 2351235.12351235, Float::MAX].each do |f|
@@ -362,46 +346,30 @@
     end
   end
 
-  if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-    it 'should read a string' do
-      # i32 of value 3, followed by three characters/UTF-8 bytes 'a', 'b', 'c'
-      buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63].pack('C*')
-      @trans.write(buffer)
-      a = @prot.read_string
-      expect(a).to eq('abc'.encode('UTF-8'))
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
-    end
+  it 'should read a string' do
+    # i32 of value 3, followed by three characters/UTF-8 bytes 'a', 'b', 'c'
+    buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63].pack('C*')
+    @trans.write(buffer)
+    a = @prot.read_string
+    expect(a).to eq('abc'.encode('UTF-8'))
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
+  end
 
-    it 'should read a string containing unicode characters from UTF-8 encoded buffer' do
-      # i32 of value 3, followed by one character U+20AC made up of three bytes
-      buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC].pack('C*')
-      @trans.write(buffer)
-      a = @prot.read_string
-      expect(a).to eq("\u20AC".encode('UTF-8'))
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
-    end
+  it 'should read a string containing unicode characters from UTF-8 encoded buffer' do
+    # i32 of value 3, followed by one character U+20AC made up of three bytes
+    buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC].pack('C*')
+    @trans.write(buffer)
+    a = @prot.read_string
+    expect(a).to eq("\u20AC".encode('UTF-8'))
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
+  end
 
-    it 'should read a binary string' do
-      buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04, 0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03].pack('C*')
-      @trans.write(buffer)
-      a = @prot.read_binary
-      expect(a).to eq([0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03].pack('C*'))
-      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-    end
-  else
-    it 'should read a string' do
-      # i32 of value 3, followed by three characters/UTF-8 bytes 'a', 'b', 'c'
-      buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x61, 0x62, 0x63].pack('C*')
-      @trans.write(buffer)
-      expect(@prot.read_string).to eq('abc')
-    end
-
-    it 'should read a binary string' do
-      buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04, 0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03].pack('C*')
-      @trans.write(buffer)
-      a = @prot.read_binary
-      expect(a).to eq([0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03].pack('C*'))
-    end
+  it 'should read a binary string' do
+    buffer = [0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04, 0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03].pack('C*')
+    @trans.write(buffer)
+    a = @prot.read_binary
+    expect(a).to eq([0x00, 0x01, 0x02, 0x03].pack('C*'))
+    expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
   end
 
   it "should perform a complete rpc with no args or return" do
@@ -433,7 +401,7 @@
   def get_socket_connection
     server = Thrift::ServerSocket.new("localhost", 9090)
     server.listen
-    
+
     clientside = Thrift::Socket.new("localhost", 9090)
     clientside.open
     serverside = server.accept
@@ -463,14 +431,14 @@
     server.close
   end
 
-  class SrvHandler 
+  class SrvHandler
     def voidMethod()
     end
-    
+
     def primitiveMethod
       1
     end
-    
+
     def structMethod
       Fixtures::COMPACT_PROTOCOL_TEST_STRUCT
     end
diff --git a/lib/rb/spec/bytes_spec.rb b/lib/rb/spec/bytes_spec.rb
index 2e8653c..c3ec087 100644
--- a/lib/rb/spec/bytes_spec.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/spec/bytes_spec.rb
@@ -21,140 +21,79 @@
 require 'spec_helper'
 
 describe Thrift::Bytes do
-  if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-    describe '.empty_byte_buffer' do
-      it 'should create an empty buffer' do
-        b = Thrift::Bytes.empty_byte_buffer
-        expect(b.length).to eq(0)
-        expect(b.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      end
-
-      it 'should create an empty buffer of given size' do
-        b = Thrift::Bytes.empty_byte_buffer 2
-        expect(b.length).to eq(2)
-        expect(b.getbyte(0)).to eq(0)
-        expect(b.getbyte(1)).to eq(0)
-        expect(b.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      end
+  describe '.empty_byte_buffer' do
+    it 'should create an empty buffer' do
+      b = Thrift::Bytes.empty_byte_buffer
+      expect(b.length).to eq(0)
+      expect(b.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
     end
 
-    describe '.force_binary_encoding' do
-      it 'should change encoding' do
-        e = 'STRING'.encode('UTF-8')
-        expect(e.encoding).not_to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.force_binary_encoding e
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      end
+    it 'should create an empty buffer of given size' do
+      b = Thrift::Bytes.empty_byte_buffer 2
+      expect(b.length).to eq(2)
+      expect(b.getbyte(0)).to eq(0)
+      expect(b.getbyte(1)).to eq(0)
+      expect(b.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '.force_binary_encoding' do
+    it 'should change encoding' do
+      e = 'STRING'.encode('UTF-8')
+      expect(e.encoding).not_to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+      a = Thrift::Bytes.force_binary_encoding e
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '.get_string_byte' do
+    it 'should get the byte at index' do
+      s = "\x41\x42"
+      expect(Thrift::Bytes.get_string_byte(s, 0)).to eq(0x41)
+      expect(Thrift::Bytes.get_string_byte(s, 1)).to eq(0x42)
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '.set_string_byte' do
+    it 'should set byte value at index' do
+      s = "\x41\x42"
+      Thrift::Bytes.set_string_byte(s, 0, 0x43)
+      expect(s.getbyte(0)).to eq(0x43)
+      expect(s).to eq('CB')
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe '.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer' do
+    it 'should convert UTF-8 String to byte buffer' do
+      e = "\u20AC".encode('UTF-8') # a string with euro sign character U+20AC
+      expect(e.length).to eq(1)
+
+      a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer e
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+      expect(a.length).to eq(3)
+      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC])
     end
 
-    describe '.get_string_byte' do
-      it 'should get the byte at index' do
-        s = "\x41\x42"
-        expect(Thrift::Bytes.get_string_byte(s, 0)).to eq(0x41)
-        expect(Thrift::Bytes.get_string_byte(s, 1)).to eq(0x42)
-      end
+    it 'should convert ISO-8859-15 String to UTF-8 byte buffer' do
+      # Assumptions
+      e = "\u20AC".encode('ISO-8859-15') # a string with euro sign character U+20AC, then converted to ISO-8859-15
+      expect(e.length).to eq(1)
+      expect(e.unpack('C*')).to eq([0xA4]) # euro sign is a different code point in ISO-8859-15
+
+      a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer e
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+      expect(a.length).to eq(3)
+      expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC])
     end
+  end
 
-    describe '.set_string_byte' do
-      it 'should set byte value at index' do
-        s = "\x41\x42"
-        Thrift::Bytes.set_string_byte(s, 0, 0x43)
-        expect(s.getbyte(0)).to eq(0x43)
-        expect(s).to eq('CB')
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer' do
-      it 'should convert UTF-8 String to byte buffer' do
-        e = "\u20AC".encode('UTF-8') # a string with euro sign character U+20AC
-        expect(e.length).to eq(1)
-
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer e
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-        expect(a.length).to eq(3)
-        expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC])
-      end
-
-      it 'should convert ISO-8859-15 String to UTF-8 byte buffer' do
-        # Assumptions
-        e = "\u20AC".encode('ISO-8859-15') # a string with euro sign character U+20AC, then converted to ISO-8859-15
-        expect(e.length).to eq(1)
-        expect(e.unpack('C*')).to eq([0xA4]) # euro sign is a different code point in ISO-8859-15
-
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer e
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-        expect(a.length).to eq(3)
-        expect(a.unpack('C*')).to eq([0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC])
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.convert_to_string' do
-      it 'should convert UTF-8 byte buffer to a UTF-8 String' do
-        e = [0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC].pack("C*")
-        expect(e.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_string e
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
-        expect(a).to eq("\u20AC")
-      end
-    end
-
-  else # RUBY_VERSION
-    describe '.empty_byte_buffer' do
-      it 'should create an empty buffer' do
-        b = Thrift::Bytes.empty_byte_buffer
-        expect(b.length).to eq(0)
-      end
-
-      it 'should create an empty buffer of given size' do
-        b = Thrift::Bytes.empty_byte_buffer 2
-        expect(b.length).to eq(2)
-        expect(b[0]).to eq(0)
-        expect(b[1]).to eq(0)
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.force_binary_encoding' do
-      it 'should be a no-op' do
-        e = 'STRING'
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.force_binary_encoding e
-        expect(a).to eq(e)
-        expect(a).to be(e)
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.get_string_byte' do
-      it 'should get the byte at index' do
-        s = "\x41\x42"
-        expect(Thrift::Bytes.get_string_byte(s, 0)).to eq(0x41)
-        expect(Thrift::Bytes.get_string_byte(s, 1)).to eq(0x42)
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.set_string_byte' do
-      it 'should set byte value at index' do
-        s = "\x41\x42"
-        Thrift::Bytes.set_string_byte(s, 0, 0x43)
-        expect(s[0]).to eq(0x43)
-        expect(s).to eq('CB')
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer' do
-      it 'should be a no-op' do
-        e = 'STRING'
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_utf8_byte_buffer e
-        expect(a).to eq(e)
-        expect(a).to be(e)
-      end
-    end
-
-    describe '.convert_to_string' do
-      it 'should be a no-op' do
-        e = 'STRING'
-        a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_string e
-        expect(a).to eq(e)
-        expect(a).to be(e)
-      end
+  describe '.convert_to_string' do
+    it 'should convert UTF-8 byte buffer to a UTF-8 String' do
+      e = [0xE2, 0x82, 0xAC].pack("C*")
+      expect(e.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+      a = Thrift::Bytes.convert_to_string e
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
+      expect(a).to eq("\u20AC")
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/rb/spec/json_protocol_spec.rb b/lib/rb/spec/json_protocol_spec.rb
index 9acaf86..e53fd3e 100644
--- a/lib/rb/spec/json_protocol_spec.rb
+++ b/lib/rb/spec/json_protocol_spec.rb
@@ -221,25 +221,18 @@
       expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq("\"-Infinity\"")
     end
 
-    if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-      it 'should write string' do
-        @prot.write_string('this is a test string')
-        a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-        expect(a).to eq('"this is a test string"'.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      end
+    it 'should write string' do
+      @prot.write_string('this is a test string')
+      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
+      expect(a).to eq('"this is a test string"'.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
+    end
 
-      it 'should write string with unicode characters' do
-        @prot.write_string("this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD")
-        a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
-        expect(a).to eq("\"this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD\"".force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
-      end
-    else
-      it 'should write string' do
-        @prot.write_string('this is a test string')
-        expect(@trans.read(@trans.available)).to eq('"this is a test string"')
-      end
+    it 'should write string with unicode characters' do
+      @prot.write_string("this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD")
+      a = @trans.read(@trans.available)
+      expect(a).to eq("\"this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD\"".force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::BINARY)
     end
 
     it "should write binary" do
@@ -509,25 +502,18 @@
       expect(@prot.read_double).to eq(12.23)
     end
 
-    if RUBY_VERSION >= '1.9'
-      it 'should read string' do
-        @trans.write('"this is a test string"'.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
-        a = @prot.read_string
-        expect(a).to eq('this is a test string')
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
-      end
+    it 'should read string' do
+      @trans.write('"this is a test string"'.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
+      a = @prot.read_string
+      expect(a).to eq('this is a test string')
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
+    end
 
-      it 'should read string with unicode characters' do
-        @trans.write('"this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD"'.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
-        a = @prot.read_string
-        expect(a).to eq("this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD")
-        expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
-      end
-    else
-      it 'should read string' do
-        @trans.write('"this is a test string"')
-        expect(@prot.read_string).to eq('this is a test string')
-      end
+    it 'should read string with unicode characters' do
+      @trans.write('"this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD"'.force_encoding(Encoding::BINARY))
+      a = @prot.read_string
+      expect(a).to eq("this is a test string with unicode characters: \u20AC \u20AD")
+      expect(a.encoding).to eq(Encoding::UTF_8)
     end
 
     it "should read binary" do