From: Brian Candler <b.candler@...>
Date: 2008-12-12T17:42:43+09:00
Subject: Re: parallel method return value

Louis-Philippe wrote:
> and with a method:
> 
>>> def a_method
>>> return 1, 2, 3
>>> end

This behaves identically to

  return [1, 2, 3]

That is, a single array object is returned. AFAIK, methods always return 
exactly one value.

> If I want only one lvalue, is this:
>>> a, = 1, 2, 3
> => [1, 2, 3]
>>> a
> => 1
> the only way to get it?

  a = a_method

is saying "assign whatever object is returned from a_method to a", and 
if that's an array, then an array is what you get.

You can use the multiple-assignment syntax to drop the rest, or other 
Array operations like

  a = a_method[0]

  a = a_method.first

> 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

If a function returns an array, that's what I want to see; I wouldn't 
want it to be arbitarily munged.
-- 
Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.