How do I remove blank elements from an array?

Removing Blank Elements from an Array: A Simple Guide :fire:

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to remove blank elements from an array, but you're not sure how to do it without using loops? Fear not, because we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll explore a simple and efficient method to achieve this goal, using the power of Ruby's compact method.

The Problem: Removing Blank Elements

Let's start by addressing the specific problem mentioned earlier. Imagine you have an array called cities with the following elements:

cities = ["Kathmandu", "Pokhara", "", "Dharan", "Butwal"]

The goal is to remove any blank elements from this array, resulting in the desired output:

cities = ["Kathmandu", "Pokhara", "Dharan", "Butwal"]

The challenge is to find a method that accomplishes this without resorting to traditional loop structures.

The Solution: The compact Method

Fortunately, Ruby provides a handy method called compact that does exactly what we need. The compact method performs two tasks simultaneously: it removes any nil elements from an array and shifts all non-nil elements to the left, resulting in a new array without any gaps.

To apply the compact method to our cities array, we can simply use the following code:

cities.compact

Running this code will yield the desired output:

=> ["Kathmandu", "Pokhara", "Dharan", "Butwal"]

In just a single line of code, we have successfully removed all blank elements from the array!

Engage and Share Your Thoughts!

Now that you've learned this valuable technique, why not take it for a spin with your own arrays? Give it a try and see the magic of the compact method in action. And don't forget to share your experience and any other cool Ruby tricks you've discovered in the comments section below!

Let's encourage a vibrant community of Ruby enthusiasts by engaging in discussions and sharing our knowledge. Your input might just help someone else overcome a programming hurdle!

So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring the fascinating world of Ruby arrays and help make the programming journey more enjoyable for everyone!

:dancer: :computer: :zap:

NOTE: The compact method does not modify the original array. If you want to remove the blank elements in place, you can use the compact! method instead.