Using Strings as Variable/Object Names in Ruby

Question

I am dealing with fractals. You start with a rectangle, and that shape is decreased by a given decay rate. I have it set up to do the first 10 iterations of the given scenario, and each scenario looks like this:

y_1 = dec_y(y_1)
y_2 = dec_y(y_2)
a_y = [y_1, y_2]
rect_1 = TkcRectangle.new(canvas, [0,0], a_y)

where dec_y is defined as the following:

def dec_y(y)
    to_ret = y / $rate
    return to_ret
end

I want to turn the first snippet into a function/method (not exactly sure what the Ruby term is...), so that each iteration will just be a single line referencing a method, which makes the problem more extensible. But, I need each TkcRectangle to have a different name. The way I want to set it up, each TkcRectangle will have the same name. But, if I can set the name of the object to a string passed as an argument, then I should not have a problem.

How do I define the name of an object with a given string?

Sully · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-01 21:34:41Z

2

Edit : Code has not been tested, but will give you the idea.

Instead of naming each element, you can use an array and use the index instead

rectangles_array = Array.new
for each loop
  rectangles_array << create_rectangle_object(y_1, y_2, canvas)
end for each loop

def dec_y(y)
  to_ret = y / $rate
  return to_ret
end

def create_rectangle_object(y_1, y_2, canvas)
  return TkcRectangle.new(canvas, [0,0], [dec_y(y_1), dec_y(y_2)])
end

If you really want to name it read about structs.. Something like

MyRectangleStruct = Struct.new(:obj_name, :x1, :y1, :x2, :y2)
puts MyRectangleStruct.new(:obj_name => 'First_rec', .....)

edited Oct 1, 2012 at 21:34

answered Sep 17, 2012 at 17:48

Sully

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3 Comments

fr00ty_l00ps Over a year ago

Can you please explain what exactly the for loop is doing?

Sully Over a year ago

As you start to solve the next problem, I doubt that you will need to name your objects. The index should be sufficient. Sorry, if I misunderstood your question.

fr00ty_l00ps Over a year ago

No, I think I get it... I should be able to get this to work, thank you :)

Atastor · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-17 18:04:38Z

0

define_method(method_name, &block)

with method_name being any string and &block being a block of ruby code; usually it looks something like this:

define_method(method_name) do
  your code goes here
end

answered Sep 17, 2012 at 18:04

Atastor

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