How to store ruby code blocks
I want to store a "code block" in a variable to be reused, something like:
block = do
|test| puts test
end
3.upto(8) block
Can someone show me what am I doing so obviously wrong? (Or if it's just impossible)
Answer
There are many ways to do this in Ruby, one of which is to use a Proc:
foo = Proc.new do |test|
puts test
end
3.upto(8) { foo.call("hello world") }
Read more about Procs:
- http://www.reactive.io/tips/2008/12/21/understanding-ruby-blocks-procs-and-lambdas
- http://www.skorks.com/2010/05/ruby-procs-and-lambdas-and-the-difference-between-them/
Update, the above method could be rewritten as follows:
# using lower-case **proc** syntax, all on one line
foo = proc { |test| puts test }
3.upto(8) { foo.call("hello world") }
# using lambda, just switch the method name from proc to lambda
bar = lambda { |test| puts test }
3.upto(8) { bar.call("hello world") }
They're basically very similar methods, with subtle differences.
And finally, there are probably more elegant ways to do what I've outlined, be good to hear from anyone with a better way. Hope this helps.