From: Gavin Sinclair <gsinclair@...>
Date: 2002-12-29T18:49:19+09:00
Subject: Re: Hash question

On Sunday, December 29, 2002, 5:53:11 PM, Kurt wrote:

> I'm using FXRuby and YAML, but this question deals with using a hash :

> Basically, if backColor is a key then use that key's value else use the 
> default.


value = hash[key] || default

The other response recommended

  value = hash[key] ||= default

Be warned, that modifies the hash, which is not what you asked.

Since you have a lot of keys and defaults, a nice approach is to put
all the default values into a separate hash, then do something like
this:

  final_hash = given_hash.dup.update(defaults_hash)

Cheers,
Gavin