From: Rob Biedenharn <Rob@...>
Date: 2008-07-24T02:26:12+09:00
Subject: Re: multiple constructors?

On Jul 23, 2008, at 1:09 PM, aidy wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Is it possible to use multiple constructors in Ruby?
>
> class SQLServerConnection
>
>  def initialize(server_name, db)
>
>  end
>
>  def initialize(server_name, db, user_name, password)
>
>  end
> end
>
> Thank You
>
> Aidy


No, but you can have optional parameters by giving a default value or  
taking a hash.

   def initialize(server_name, db, user_name=nil, password=nil)
     if user_name && password
       # connect with credentials
     else
       # connect anonymously
     end
   end

Called like: SQLServerConnection.new("myserver", "development",  
'aidy', 'shh_secret')

-or-

   def initialize(server_name, db, options={})
     if options.has_key?(:user) && options.has_key?(:password)
       # connect with credentials
     else
       # connect anonymously
     end
   end

and called like: SQLServerConnection.new("myserver",  
"development", :user => 'aidy', :password => 'shh_secret')

-Rob

Rob Biedenharn		http://agileconsultingllc.com
Rob@AgileConsultingLLC.com