From: "Sebastjan H." <lists@...>
Date: 2012-05-17T21:14:29+09:00
Subject: Re: array of strings - finding letter combinations

Sebastjan H. wrote in post #1059386:
> Thank you all for your kind help. I'll try to complete this task and
> when I am done, I'll post back if maybe someone else can benefit from
> it.
>
> regards,
> seba

Hello again,
It seems I'm stuck:)

After rethinking what I actually need, I've come with the script below. 
For some reason, it only works when there are 26 or more strings in the 
array. I've been looking like crazy, but I can't find the error. Also 
any optimisation or pointing out additional errors is most welcome. Keep 
in mind, I am a complete beginner:)

Note: I only need a list of unused characters, which may be used for 
assignments.
-----------------------------------------------------
# 1. Import strings from a file and add them to the array;
# if there are more than 26 strings imported from the file,
# an alert is given and user decision is required
# User may decide to continue since there may still be a char
# unused if others ore used more than once.
file = ARGV[0]
strings = []
used_chars = []
duplicates = []
all = ["&a", "&b", "&c", "&d", "&e", "&f", "&g", "&h", "&i", "&j", "&k", 
"&l",
 "&m", "&n", "&o", "&p", "&r", "&s", "&t", "&u", "&v", "&w", "&x", "&y", 
"&z"]

input_file = File.open(file, "a+")
input_file.each_line do |line|
strings << line
end

strings.map!{|c| c.downcase.strip} # Eliminates the whole upcase issue.

    if strings.length >= 26
    puts "There are more than 26 strings, unique assignments are not
           possible."

     puts "Do you still want to continue with the process? Enter y or n"
     print ">"
     answer = STDIN.gets.chomp()
       if answer == "n"
       puts "Process aborted by user."
       exit
       else


# 2. Finds the ampersand combinations; adds them to used and duplicates;
# checks for number of occurences ---- still under consideration if 
needed

 strings.each do|str|
   char = str[/&[a-z]/]
   duplicates << char if used_chars.include? char
   used_chars << char
   end


# 3. Compares the all and used arrays and adds the list of unused
# chars to the file

unused = [(all)-(used_chars)]

input_file.write("Here are the unused characters:" "\n")
unused.each do |char|
input_file.write(char)
input_file.write("\n")
    end
  end
end
input_file.close()

# ToDo:
# 1. The automatic suggestion would only be possible if the unused 
characters
# would be compared with the characters in the strings with duplicates.
# If the unused character exists in the string, suggest the character 
from the
# unused array, otherwise move on to the next. If no match is found, 
move to
# the next string with duplicates.

# 2. use Shoes for GUI.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thx
kind regards
seba

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