From: timr <timrandg@...>
Date: 2008-08-22T16:16:23+09:00
Subject: Re: want to compare data in two files.

To identify duplicates the 'array1 & array2' solution given above is
perfect. See examples below:

# setting up two arrays with your names

irb(main):004:0> sheet1 = %w[vipul john mac smith nick]
=> ["vipul", "john", "mac", "smith", "nick"]
irb(main):005:0> sheet2 = %w[anthony wayne bill randy thalia trishi
ricky sachin nick]
=> ["anthony", "wayne", "bill", "randy", "thalia", "trishi", "ricky",
"sachin", "nick"]

# finding common elements, note the order is inconsequential
irb(main):006:0> sheet2 & sheet1
=> ["nick"]
irb(main):007:0> sheet1 & sheet2
=> ["nick"]

# Determining what items are unique to the first array. (What items
are in the first list that are not in the second?) Note order matters
here.
irb(main):008:0> sheet2 - sheet1
=> ["anthony", "wayne", "bill", "randy", "thalia", "trishi", "ricky",
"sachin"]
irb(main):009:0> sheet1-sheet2
=> ["vipul", "john", "mac", "smith"]
irb(main):010:0>

-Tim