Newbie question about blocks

#1

Hi, I want to square every element in my array using a block:

a = (1…1000).to_a
a.each {|x| x**2}

But this does not seem to work, it just outputs my array completely
unchanged :frowning:

#2

Hi –

On Mon, 13 Feb 2006, Jeppe J. wrote:

Hi, I want to square every element in my array using a block:

a = (1…1000).to_a
a.each {|x| x**2}

But this does not seem to work, it just outputs my array completely
unchanged :frowning:

What you want is map, rather than each:

a.map {|x| x**2 }

each just returns the receiver (i.e., the array itself). map returns
a new array, composed of the results obtained by running the block
once for each item.

“collect” is a synonym for map.

David

–
David A. Black (removed_email_address@domain.invalid)
Ruby Power and Light (http://www.rubypowerandlight.com)

“Ruby for Rails” chapters now available
from Manning Early Access Program! http://www.manning.com/books/black

#3

The problem you’re seeing is that :each doesn’t do anything with the
return values of the block.

What you want is :map or :collect (or their destructive forms :map! or
:collect!).

#4

Jeppe J. wrote:

The collect method will produce a new array:

a.collect {|x| x*x}

or, if you want to modify the original array, use collect!

#5

Hi –

On Mon, 13 Feb 2006, Daniel N. wrote:

return values of the block.

What you want is :map or :collect (or their destructive forms :map! or
:collect!).

But probably the methods, not the like-named symbols :slight_smile:

David

–
David A. Black (removed_email_address@domain.invalid)
Ruby Power and Light (http://www.rubypowerandlight.com)

“Ruby for Rails” chapters now available
from Manning Early Access Program! http://www.manning.com/books/black