Optional arguments and default values

Ruby
1

Hi,

How do I give a method optional arguments and default values?

Exmpl:

foo is a function that multiplies all of its arguments together. If
there is not any argument, a default value of “qwerty” returns.

foo(2,3) ----> 6
foo(2,3,5) ----> 30
foo(2,3,5,2) -> 60

foo() -----------> “qwerty”

2

Ross B. [email protected] wrote:

end

or:

def foo(*args)
if args.empty?
“qwerty”
else
args.inject(0) { |s,i| s * i }
end
end

The implementation of Enumerable#inject allows for an even more elegant
solution

def foo(args)
args.inject {|a,b| ab} || “qwerty”
end

foo 2,3,5
=> 30
foo 2,3
=> 6
foo 2
=> 2
foo
=> “qwerty”

Note: if args is empty this inject returns nil, if there is just one
element
that is returned.

Another solution would be to implement things like this in Enumerable:

module Enumerable
def sum() inject(0) {|a,b| a+b} end
def product() inject(1) {|a,b| a*b} end
end

or

module Enumerable
def sum() inject {|a,b| a+b} end
def product() inject {|a,b| a*b} end
end

Allowing for invocations like these

[1,2,3,4].sum
=> 10
(1…4).sum
=> 10
(1…5).sum
=> 10
(1…10).map { rand 20 }.sum
=> 91

Kind regards

robert
3

On Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:59:05 -0000, Surgeon [email protected]
wrote:

foo(2,3,5) ----> 30
foo(2,3,5,2) → 60

foo() -----------> “qwerty”

Maybe:
def foo(*args)
args.empty? && “qwerty” or args.inject(0) { |s,i| s * i }
end

or:

def foo(*args)
  if args.empty?
    "qwerty"
  else
    args.inject(0) { |s,i| s * i }
  end
end

Default values are slightly different:

def sum(v1 = 10, v2 = 5)
  v1 + v2
end

Once you give a default value to an arg, you must also give defaults to
all following args (except any &block arg).

Defaults don’t have to be literal - you can use anything

def foo(arg = somemethod('c')) ... end

even another arg

def foo(a1, a2 = a1) ... end

I believe they’re evaluated in the scope of the method itself. It’s
quite
cool.

Cheers,

4

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 12:58:14 -0000, Robert K. [email protected]
wrote:

"qwerty"

end
Note: if args is empty this inject returns nil, if there is just one
element that is returned.

Cool, I didn’t know that, thanks for pointing it out :slight_smile:

Cheers,