From: "John W. Long" <ng@...>
Date: 2004-07-31T12:00:40+09:00
Subject: Array#random ?

I've often thought it would be nice to have a "random" method for Array. 
Has this ever been considered for part of the core? Something like:

     class Array
       def random
         self[rand(size)] if size > 0
       end
       def pop_random
         slice!(rand(size)) if size > 0
       end
       def randomize
         dup.randomize!
       end
       def randomize!
         a = []
         a << pop_random until size == 0
         concat(a)
       end
     end

     puts [1,2,3].random

     a = [1,2,3,4,5,6]
     6.times { puts a.pop_random }
     puts a.inspect

     a = %w{a b c d e f}
     b = a.randomize
     puts b.inspect
     puts a.inspect
     a.randomize!
     puts a.inspect

Purely a convenience method I know, but would usage be common enough to 
justify an RCR? I like the above syntax primarily because it allows you 
to do things like:

     case [1,2,3].random
     when 1
       puts "Hi"
     when 2
       puts "Hello, hello!"
     when 3
       puts "Howdy"
     end

--
John