Best way to convert strings to symbols in hash

ruby hashmap
Bryan M. picture Bryan M. · Apr 29, 2009 · Viewed 181.4k times · Source

What's the (fastest/cleanest/straightforward) way to convert all keys in a hash from strings to symbols in Ruby?

This would be handy when parsing YAML.

my_hash = YAML.load_file('yml')

I'd like to be able to use:

my_hash[:key]

Rather than:

my_hash['key']

Answer

Sai picture Sai · May 21, 2009

Here's a better method, if you're using Rails:

params.symbolize_keys

The end.

If you're not, just rip off their code (it's also in the link):

myhash.keys.each do |key|
  myhash[(key.to_sym rescue key) || key] = myhash.delete(key)
end

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