Comments on: How to return multiple values from a method http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/ Because programming should be fun Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:20:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Chris http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-284 Chris Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:02:48 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-284 This is also how MATLAB handles multiple outputs from functions. Pretty swish. This is also how MATLAB handles multiple outputs from functions. Pretty swish.

]]> By: Alex http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-285 Alex Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:46:10 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-285 That's pretty cool. It's a bit of a shame that you can't do: do_whatever if a_method_to_insult_innocent_people I guess you could do a_method_to_insult_innocent_people.first instead, although that seems a little ugly. That’s pretty cool. It’s a bit of a shame that you can’t do:
do_whatever if a_method_to_insult_innocent_people
I guess you could do a_method_to_insult_innocent_people.first instead, although that seems a little ugly.

]]> By: Frank http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-286 Frank Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:24:16 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-286 @Alex, Good observation. It's true that you have to be careful with statements like "do_whatever if a_method_to_insult_innocent_people" (since it will always return true). I don't dislike your solution (a_method_to_insult_innocent_people.first) but I think I would prefer : a_method_to_insult_innocent_people[0]. It may feel "less ruby" but it has the advantage of being clear about what the return value really is (an array). On the other hand, if you use ".first", some could think that your method returned a custom object that contains a method named "first". Anyway, just a personal taste thing :) Thanks for your comment @Alex,

Good observation. It’s true that you have to be careful with statements like “do_whatever if a_method_to_insult_innocent_people” (since it will always return true).

I don’t dislike your solution (a_method_to_insult_innocent_people.first) but I think I would prefer : a_method_to_insult_innocent_people[0]. It may feel “less ruby” but it has the advantage of being clear about what the return value really is (an array). On the other hand, if you use “.first”, some could think that your method returned a custom object that contains a method named “first”. Anyway, just a personal taste thing :)

Thanks for your comment

]]> By: RSL http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-287 RSL Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:13:48 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-287 There's another reason that Alex's solution might be less than idea. If you're returning multiple values but only using one then you're probably better off with a different method. There’s another reason that Alex’s solution might be less than idea. If you’re returning multiple values but only using one then you’re probably better off with a different method.

]]> By: Alex http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-288 Alex Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:37:37 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-288 You are right RSL, although it was a convuluted example. A real world example of usage might be: @insult_result = a_method_to_insult_innocent_people In which case both values are used. To be honest though, returning a hash would probably be nicer for everyone involved :). Alex You are right RSL, although it was a convuluted example. A real world example of usage might be:
@insult_result = a_method_to_insult_innocent_people

In which case both values are used.

To be honest though, returning a hash would probably be nicer for everyone involved :).

Alex

]]> By: Alex http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-289 Alex Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:38:52 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-289 Sorry contrived, not convuluted (spelt wrong anyway). Alex Sorry contrived, not convuluted (spelt wrong anyway).

Alex

]]> By: Learning Ruby & Rails - July edition | www.neeraj.name http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-334 Learning Ruby & Rails - July edition | www.neeraj.name Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:30:36 +0000 http://www.rubyfleebie.com/how-to-return-multiple-values-from-a-method/#comment-334 [...] Returning multiple values from a method [...] […] Returning multiple values from a method […]

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