From: Matthew Moss <matt@...>
Date: 2008-12-12T13:50:52+09:00
Subject: Re: parallel method return value

> and with a method:
>
>>> def a_method
>>> return 1, 2, 3
>>> end
> => nil
>>> a,b = a_method
> => [1, 2, 3]
>>> a
> => 1
>>> b
> => 2
>
> If I want only one lvalue, is this:
>>> a, = 1, 2, 3
> => [1, 2, 3]
>>> a
> => 1
> the only way to get it?
>
> I would have liked for the return behaviour to be set on the right  
> side,
> to allow method invocation like:
>>> puts a_method
>
> to return:
> 1
>
> instead of
> 1
> 2
> 3


So... uh, why wouldn't you just return one value? That is:

def a_method
    return 1
end

???

Perhaps, if it's an array you have, then just use method #first:

def a_method
    return some_array.first
end