From: Adam Akhtar <adamtemporary@...>
Date: 2008-08-20T19:30:08+09:00
Subject: array of hashes - need to iterate and calulate stats but how

I making a script which generates some basic stats for completed
listings on ebay. Its merely a means to improve on my ruby so its pretty
primitive ;)

I have an array of hashes. Each hash represents a listing on ebay.
e.g.
{:title => "Canon Accessory R45-WD45", :model_number =>"R45-WD45"
:did_it_sell => TRUE}

Within in the array there will be many listings for the same product.
E.g. 25 wiis, 45 xboxes 35 sigma 18-50mm lenses etc.

I want to work out statistics for each product grouping. Teh desired
output would be something like this

Wii    - Total listings 25. Total sold 10. Sell through rate 40%
Xbox   - Total listings 50. Total sold 2. Sell through rate  4%

So i need to at least sort the array of products in order of their model
number passing sort a custom block.

From here on im not sure how to proceed. Should I bundle the groupings
of model numbers into their own arrays or should i simply iterate over
this nicely sorted array and make the script keep a mental note of what
product its calculating for.

in C i would have used a structure to contain the product information.
Is a hash the best thing to use?

Im not looking for someone to write the code but rather a general
outline of how this type of stuff is usually done. any help greatly
apprecated.
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