How do I get the string value in this string interpolation

Question

I've been trying to get this code to output:

'Mary has a pet called Satan.'

But what I get is:

'Mary has a pet called #<Cat:0x00000002784c20>'

Code Below:

class Person
    def initialize(name)
        @name = name
        @pet = nil
        @hobbies = []
    end

    def describe()
        puts "This persons name is #{@name}."
        puts "#{@name}'s hobbies are:"

        @hobbies.map { |hobby| puts hobby }

        if @pet == nil
            puts "#{@name} has not got any pets."
        else
            puts "#{@name} has a pet called #{@pet}"
        end
    end

    attr_accessor :pet, :hobbies
end
class Cat < Animal

def initialize(name)
    @name = name
end
end


satan = Cat.new("Satan")
mary = Person.new("Mary")
mary.pet = satan

mary.describe

Thanks for all your help.

@FreddieCodes then try "#{@name} has a pet called #{@pet.name}" — Sujan Adiga
– Sujan Adiga, Commented Jul 1, 2017 at 15:28

Kruupös · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-01 15:34:08Z

2

In your describe() function, you are calling the object Cat without specifing the name.

But if you call #{pet.name} it will throw:

<undefined method `name' for #<Cat:0x0055d750a1a450 @name="Satan">

You have to allow the access to the variable name in the Cat class first with attr_accessor

class Cat < Animal
  attr_accessor :name # First allow access

end


class Person
  def describe()
     puts "#{@name} has a pet called #{@pet.name}" # Then call the pet's name!
  end
end

answered Jul 1, 2017 at 15:34

Kruupös

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3 Comments

FreddieCodes Over a year ago

Thank you so much, this worked a treat and now I understand better how and when to use attr_accessor .

Kruupös Over a year ago

Glad it helps you out! Check out for @Gerry solution to see attr_reader, it is not a bad idea. Either way, try to read documentation about them both. Please do not forget to tick this answer if it solved your problem.

Gerry Over a year ago

Your answer is better, nicely explained.

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