[Quick Easy Question] Referencing Methods Dynamically?

ruby-talk
1

Very Basic Example: (notice the <! part !>)

/------------------------------------------------->
class MyName
  def first_name(era)
    part = "Cassius" if era == "before"
    part = "Muhammad" if era == "after"
    return part
  end
  def middle_name(era)
    part = "Marcellus" if era == "before"
    part = "" if era == "after"
    return part
  end
  def last_name(era)
    part = "Clay" if era == "before"
    part = "Ali" if era == "after"
    return part
  end
end

parts = %w"first middle last"
parts.each do |part|
  puts part + " name details: " +
  MyName.new.<! part !>_name("before") +
  " is now " +
  MyName.new.<! part !>_name("after")
end
/-------------------------------------------------<

Excuse the logic.. The purpose is to display the need for referencing
methods dynamically, with variables being passed.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thx

2

MyName.new.send( "#{part}_name", "before" )

···

On Sep 14, 2005, at 7:12 PM, x1 wrote:

parts = %w"first middle last"
parts.each do |part|
    puts part + " name details: " +
    MyName.new.<! part !>_name("before") +
    " is now " +
    MyName.new.<! part !>_name("after")
end

3

A general suggestion on code, unrelated to your question. (I know you said "excuse the logic", but just in case)

def first_name( era )
     case era
         when "before" then "Cassius"
         when "after" then "Muhammad"
     end
end

But of course, if you have three methods with almost the same logic, they should probably be a single method for DRY purposes.

···

On Sep 14, 2005, at 7:12 PM, x1 wrote:

    def first_name(era)
        part = "Cassius" if era == "before"
        part = "Muhammad" if era == "after"
        return part
    end

4

Absolutely perfect.

I was nearly there.. :smiley: Thank you!!

···

On 9/14/05, Gavin Kistner <gavin@refinery.com> wrote:

On Sep 14, 2005, at 7:12 PM, x1 wrote:
> parts = %w"first middle last"
> parts.each do |part|
> puts part + " name details: " +
> MyName.new.<! part !>_name("before") +
> " is now " +
> MyName.new.<! part !>_name("after")
> end

MyName.new.send( "#{part}_name", "before" )

5

I'm completely aware of that and appreciate your help.

Thank you.

···

On 9/14/05, x1 <caldridge@gmail.com> wrote:

Absolutely perfect.

I was nearly there.. :smiley: Thank you!!

On 9/14/05, Gavin Kistner <gavin@refinery.com> wrote:
> On Sep 14, 2005, at 7:12 PM, x1 wrote:
> > parts = %w"first middle last"
> > parts.each do |part|
> > puts part + " name details: " +
> > MyName.new.<! part !>_name("before") +
> > " is now " +
> > MyName.new.<! part !>_name("after")
> > end
>
> MyName.new.send( "#{part}_name", "before" )
>
>