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our concat example, but this time using the variable:

magicNumber = 3
puts magicNumber.to_s + " Is the magic number"

The output will be: 3 Is the magic number

In the above I have introduced a method on the Fixnum type. This method is called .to_s it turns the number into a string, which we can then use in our concat. Whenever you see the dot (.) in Ruby, it usually means that what is about to follow is a member of the class (in other words, either a property or a method of the type).

Now I have covered the very basics, I shall now cover the basics that every software developer needs.

- Selection -

- If example:

if x == 1
puts "Hello"
end

- Case example:

food = case shoppingItem
when "chips" then true
when "loo roll" then false
when "bananas" then true
when "guitar" then false
when "action figure" then false
end

- Iteration -

- A very useful while example:

# Centigrade to Fahrenheit converter
puts "Welcome to the C to F Converter\nPlease input the lowest value to convert\n"
low = gets().to_i
puts "Please input the highest value to convert\n"
high = gets().to_i
puts "Please input the interval to convert at"
interval = gets().to_i
currentTempC = low
currentTempF = 0
while currentTempC <= high
currentTempF = ((90/5)*currentTempC) + 320
puts currentTempC.to_s + "C = " + (currentTempF/10).to_s + "." + (currentTempF%10).to_s + "F \n"
currentTempC = currentTempC + interval
end

Here are some notes for the above:
# is a comment
gets() gets a value from keyboard
to_i turns a string into an integer

- A for loop example

for i in 1...20
puts "This is the loop count: " + i.to_s
end

- Class definitions

class Human
# variables and accessors go in here
# method definitions go in here
end

- Method definitions

def run
#put one foot in front of the next quickly, and repeat
end

This has been slow introduction, with a very quick run through of the basics of ruby. There are plenty of resources out there to learn about Ruby.

You can get Ruby and Ruby Documentation here: http://www.ruby-lang.org/

If you don't fancy downloading Ruby then you can use the online Interactive Ruby Shell available here: http://tryruby.hobix.com/

More information about Functional Ruby can be found here: http://www.artima.com/intv/clo sures.html

I can also provide training and consultancy for a small fee if you fancy learning more: http://www.vanirsystems.com/

Th is article is also available here: http://vanirsystems.com/daniel sblog/?p=120

Learn more about this author, Daniel Lewis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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