From: "David A. Black" <dblack@...>
Date: 2003-12-19T09:17:39+09:00
Subject: Re: How to return more than one result from a method?

Hi --

On Fri, 19 Dec 2003, Tim Hunter wrote:

> I'm trying to code a method that has two result values. The values are
> very different objects: an Image (a large and complicated object) and a
> plain ol' Ruby Float. I'm not sure what the best way to handle this is. I
> could return them an Array with 2 elements, but that feels too
> lightweight. I could return a Hash with 2 members. I could define a new
> class with two attributes, but that feels too heavyweight. I even thought
> of having the method yield to a block, passing the two results as
> arguments to the block, but that just seems bizarre.
> 
> So I'm soliciting advice. How has this been solved before?

Could you just assign them directly to variables in the calling scope?
Technically you'd be returning an Array but you don't have to deal
with it directly:

  irb(main):001:0> def two; return 1,2; end
  => nil
  irb(main):002:0> a,b = two
  => [1, 2]
  irb(main):003:0> a
  => 1
  irb(main):004:0> b
  => 2

That might be the best way if you don't need to deal with the two
values as a pair beyond getting them back from the method.


David

-- 
David A. Black
dblack@wobblini.net