`if __name__ == '__main__'` equivalent in Ruby

Imagist picture Imagist · Feb 12, 2010 · Viewed 20.4k times · Source

I am new to Ruby. I'm looking to import functions from a module that contains a tool I want to continue using separately. In Python I would simply do this:

def a():
    ...
def b():
    ...
if __name__ == '__main__':
    a()
    b()

This allows me to run the program or import it as a module to use a() and/or b() separately. What's the equivalent paradigm in Ruby?

Answer

Matchu picture Matchu · Feb 12, 2010

From the Ruby I've seen out in the wild (granted, not a ton), this is not a standard Ruby design pattern. Modules and scripts are supposed to stay separate, so I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't really a good, clean way of doing this.

EDIT: Found it.

if __FILE__ == $0
    foo()
    bar()
end

But it's definitely not common.