What does %w(array) mean?

Understanding %w(array)

Have you ever come across the mysterious %w in Ruby code and wondered what it does? Fear not, for we are here to unravel the secrets of this enigmatic construct. Let's delve into the world of %w(array) and demystify its meaning!

What is %w?

In Ruby, %w is a shorthand notation known as the word array constructor. When used with parentheses, it allows you to create an array of strings, where each string is separated by whitespace. This means you don't need to enclose each string in quotes or use commas to separate them.

Example Usage

To better understand %w(array), let's take a look at the example code snippet provided in the context:

FileUtils.cp %w(cgi.rb complex.rb date.rb), '/usr/lib/ruby/1.6'

In this snippet, the %w(cgi.rb complex.rb date.rb) creates an array of three strings: "cgi.rb", "complex.rb", and "date.rb". This array is then passed as an argument to the FileUtils.cp method, along with the destination path '/usr/lib/ruby/1.6'.

Benefits & Use Cases

The %w notation provides a more concise and readable way to define an array of strings without the clutter of quotes and commas. It is particularly useful when you need to create an array of simple, unformatted strings.

Here are a few examples of when you might want to use %w:

1. Defining command-line arguments:

ARGV = %w(-h --verbose --output=config.txt)

1. Creating an array of file extensions:

allowed_extensions = %w(.txt .csv .xlsx .xml)

1. Specifying tags for a blog post:

post.tags = %w(ruby programming beginners)

Ruby Documentation

If you're ever unsure about any Ruby construct or notation, it's always a good idea to consult the official Ruby documentation. In the case of %w, you can find detailed information in the Array class documentation.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the secret behind %w, you can confidently navigate Ruby code and understand its intent. The %w notation simplifies the process of creating arrays of strings, making your code more concise and readable.

So go forth, embrace the power of %w(array), and let your Ruby code shine! If you have any more questions or want to share how you've used %w, feel free to leave a comment below.

🚀 Happy coding!