From: paul <pjvleeuwen@...>
Date: 2006-12-07T00:30:07+09:00
Subject: Re: Default values for method arguments

> You just need to switch strategies.  Use Ruby's simulated keyword
> arguments for something like this:
>
>  >> def test(args)
>  >>   puts args.values_at(:a, :b, :c)
>  >> end
> => nil
>  >> test :a => 1, :c => 2
> 1
> nil
> 2
> => nil

Hi James,

The Simulated Keyword Arguments you talk about are a little abstract to
me, but I think I get the idea. I suppose in the example above I would
have to add a couple of lines to define the default values...
This way, the general idea is the same as the following?

irb(main):001:0> def test(args)
irb(main):002:1>   args['a'] = 'defaultA' unless args.has_key?('a')
irb(main):003:1>   args['b'] = 'defaultB' unless args.has_key?('b')
irb(main):004:1>   args['c'] = 'defaultC' unless args.has_key?('c')
irb(main):005:1>   puts args.indexes('a', 'b', 'c')
irb(main):006:1> end
=> nil
irb(main):007:0> test({'a' => 'someA', 'c' => 'someC'})
(irb):5: warning: Hash#indexes is deprecated; use Hash#values_at
someA
defaultB
someC
=> nil

An additional question: do you know a link where I can find more on
those Simulated Keyword Arguments? I did some googling, but it turned
up with nothing on:
ruby "Simulated Keyword Arguments"

Those colons you use before the variable-names are a little like magic
to me. (though I checked, without those colons, you're example above
wouldn't have worked...) :)

Cheers,
Paul