Results for: "Array"

Array

An Array is an ordered, integer-indexed collection of objects, called elements. Any object may be an Array element.

Array Indexes

Array indexing starts at 0, as in C or Java.

A positive index is an offset from the first element:

Index 0 indicates the first element.
Index 1 indicates the second element.
…

A negative index is an offset, backwards, from the end of the array:

Index -1 indicates the last element.
Index -2 indicates the next-to-last element.
…

A non-negative index is in range if it is smaller than the size of the array. For a 3-element array:

Indexes 0 through 2 are in range.
Index 3 is out of range.

A negative index is in range if its absolute value is not larger than the size of the array. For a 3-element array:

Indexes -1 through -3 are in range.
Index -4 is out of range.

Creating Arrays

You can create an Array object explicitly with:

An array literal.

You can convert certain objects to Arrays with:

Method Array.

An Array can contain different types of objects. For example, the array below contains an Integer, a String and a Float:

ary = [1, "two", 3.0] #=> [1, "two", 3.0]

An array can also be created by calling Array.new with zero, one (the initial size of the Array) or two arguments (the initial size and a default object).

ary = Array.new    #=> []
Array.new(3)       #=> [nil, nil, nil]
Array.new(3, true) #=> [true, true, true]

Note that the second argument populates the array with references to the same object. Therefore, it is only recommended in cases when you need to instantiate arrays with natively immutable objects such as Symbols, numbers, true or false.

To create an array with separate objects a block can be passed instead. This method is safe to use with mutable objects such as hashes, strings or other arrays:

Array.new(4) {Hash.new}    #=> [{}, {}, {}, {}]
Array.new(4) {|i| i.to_s } #=> ["0", "1", "2", "3"]

This is also a quick way to build up multi-dimensional arrays:

empty_table = Array.new(3) {Array.new(3)}
#=> [[nil, nil, nil], [nil, nil, nil], [nil, nil, nil]]

An array can also be created by using the Array() method, provided by Kernel, which tries to call to_ary, then to_a on its argument.

Array({:a => "a", :b => "b"}) #=> [[:a, "a"], [:b, "b"]]

Example Usage

In addition to the methods it mixes in through the Enumerable module, the Array class has proprietary methods for accessing, searching and otherwise manipulating arrays.

Some of the more common ones are illustrated below.

Accessing Elements

Elements in an array can be retrieved using the Array#[] method. It can take a single integer argument (a numeric index), a pair of arguments (start and length) or a range. Negative indices start counting from the end, with -1 being the last element.

arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
arr[2]    #=> 3
arr[100]  #=> nil
arr[-3]   #=> 4
arr[2, 3] #=> [3, 4, 5]
arr[1..4] #=> [2, 3, 4, 5]
arr[1..-3] #=> [2, 3, 4]

Another way to access a particular array element is by using the at method

arr.at(0) #=> 1

The slice method works in an identical manner to Array#[].

To raise an error for indices outside of the array bounds or else to provide a default value when that happens, you can use fetch.

arr = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f']
arr.fetch(100) #=> IndexError: index 100 outside of array bounds: -6...6
arr.fetch(100, "oops") #=> "oops"

The special methods first and last will return the first and last elements of an array, respectively.

arr.first #=> 1
arr.last  #=> 6

To return the first n elements of an array, use take

arr.take(3) #=> [1, 2, 3]

drop does the opposite of take, by returning the elements after n elements have been dropped:

arr.drop(3) #=> [4, 5, 6]

Obtaining Information about an `Array`

Arrays keep track of their own length at all times. To query an array about the number of elements it contains, use length, count or size.

browsers = ['Chrome', 'Firefox', 'Safari', 'Opera', 'IE']
browsers.length #=> 5
browsers.count #=> 5

To check whether an array contains any elements at all

browsers.empty? #=> false

To check whether a particular item is included in the array

browsers.include?('Konqueror') #=> false

Adding Items to Arrays

Items can be added to the end of an array by using either push or <<

arr = [1, 2, 3, 4]
arr.push(5) #=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
arr << 6    #=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

unshift will add a new item to the beginning of an array.

arr.unshift(0) #=> [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

With insert you can add a new element to an array at any position.

arr.insert(3, 'apple')  #=> [0, 1, 2, 'apple', 3, 4, 5, 6]

Using the insert method, you can also insert multiple values at once:

arr.insert(3, 'orange', 'pear', 'grapefruit')
#=> [0, 1, 2, "orange", "pear", "grapefruit", "apple", 3, 4, 5, 6]

Removing Items from an `Array`

The method pop removes the last element in an array and returns it:

arr =  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
arr.pop #=> 6
arr #=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

To retrieve and at the same time remove the first item, use shift:

arr.shift #=> 1
arr #=> [2, 3, 4, 5]

To delete an element at a particular index:

arr.delete_at(2) #=> 4
arr #=> [2, 3, 5]

To delete a particular element anywhere in an array, use delete:

arr = [1, 2, 2, 3]
arr.delete(2) #=> 2
arr #=> [1,3]

A useful method if you need to remove nil values from an array is compact:

arr = ['foo', 0, nil, 'bar', 7, 'baz', nil]
arr.compact  #=> ['foo', 0, 'bar', 7, 'baz']
arr          #=> ['foo', 0, nil, 'bar', 7, 'baz', nil]
arr.compact! #=> ['foo', 0, 'bar', 7, 'baz']
arr          #=> ['foo', 0, 'bar', 7, 'baz']

Another common need is to remove duplicate elements from an array.

It has the non-destructive uniq, and destructive method uniq!

arr = [2, 5, 6, 556, 6, 6, 8, 9, 0, 123, 556]
arr.uniq #=> [2, 5, 6, 556, 8, 9, 0, 123]

Iterating over Arrays

Like all classes that include the Enumerable module, Array has an each method, which defines what elements should be iterated over and how. In case of Array’s each, all elements in the Array instance are yielded to the supplied block in sequence.

Note that this operation leaves the array unchanged.

arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
arr.each {|a| print a -= 10, " "}
# prints: -9 -8 -7 -6 -5
#=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Another sometimes useful iterator is reverse_each which will iterate over the elements in the array in reverse order.

words = %w[first second third fourth fifth sixth]
str = ""
words.reverse_each {|word| str += "#{word} "}
p str #=> "sixth fifth fourth third second first "

The map method can be used to create a new array based on the original array, but with the values modified by the supplied block:

arr.map {|a| 2*a}     #=> [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]
arr                   #=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
arr.map! {|a| a**2}   #=> [1, 4, 9, 16, 25]
arr                   #=> [1, 4, 9, 16, 25]

Selecting Items from an `Array`

Elements can be selected from an array according to criteria defined in a block. The selection can happen in a destructive or a non-destructive manner. While the destructive operations will modify the array they were called on, the non-destructive methods usually return a new array with the selected elements, but leave the original array unchanged.

Non-destructive Selection

arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
arr.select {|a| a > 3}       #=> [4, 5, 6]
arr.reject {|a| a < 3}       #=> [3, 4, 5, 6]
arr.drop_while {|a| a < 4}   #=> [4, 5, 6]
arr                          #=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Destructive Selection

select! and reject! are the corresponding destructive methods to select and reject

Similar to select vs. reject, delete_if and keep_if have the exact opposite result when supplied with the same block:

arr.delete_if {|a| a < 4}   #=> [4, 5, 6]
arr                         #=> [4, 5, 6]

arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
arr.keep_if {|a| a < 4}   #=> [1, 2, 3]
arr                       #=> [1, 2, 3]

What’s Here

First, what’s elsewhere. Class Array:

Inherits from class Object.
Includes module Enumerable, which provides dozens of additional methods.

Here, class Array provides methods that are useful for:

Creating an Array
Querying
Comparing
Fetching
Assigning
Deleting
Combining
Iterating
Converting
And more.…

Methods for Creating an `Array`

::[]: Returns a new array populated with given objects.
::new: Returns a new array.
::try_convert: Returns a new array created from a given object.

Methods for Querying

length, size: Returns the count of elements.
include?: Returns whether any element == a given object.
empty?: Returns whether there are no elements.
all?: Returns whether all elements meet a given criterion.
any?: Returns whether any element meets a given criterion.
none?: Returns whether no element == a given object.
one?: Returns whether exactly one element == a given object.
count: Returns the count of elements that meet a given criterion.
find_index, index: Returns the index of the first element that meets a given criterion.
rindex: Returns the index of the last element that meets a given criterion.
hash: Returns the integer hash code.

Methods for Comparing

#<=>: Returns -1, 0, or 1 as self is less than, equal to, or greater than a given object.
#==: Returns whether each element in self is == to the corresponding element in a given object.
eql?: Returns whether each element in self is eql? to the corresponding element in a given object.

Methods for Fetching

These methods do not modify self.

[]: Returns one or more elements.
fetch: Returns the element at a given offset.
first: Returns one or more leading elements.
last: Returns one or more trailing elements.
max: Returns one or more maximum-valued elements, as determined by <=> or a given block.
max: Returns one or more minimum-valued elements, as determined by <=> or a given block.
minmax: Returns the minimum-valued and maximum-valued elements, as determined by <=> or a given block.
assoc: Returns the first element that is an array whose first element == a given object.
rassoc: Returns the first element that is an array whose second element == a given object.
at: Returns the element at a given offset.
values_at: Returns the elements at given offsets.
dig: Returns the object in nested objects that is specified by a given index and additional arguments.
drop: Returns trailing elements as determined by a given index.
take: Returns leading elements as determined by a given index.
drop_while: Returns trailing elements as determined by a given block.
take_while: Returns leading elements as determined by a given block.
slice: Returns consecutive elements as determined by a given argument.
sort: Returns all elements in an order determined by <=> or a given block.
reverse: Returns all elements in reverse order.
compact: Returns an array containing all non-nil elements.
select, filter: Returns an array containing elements selected by a given block.
uniq: Returns an array containing non-duplicate elements.
rotate: Returns all elements with some rotated from one end to the other.
bsearch: Returns an element selected via a binary search as determined by a given block.
bsearch_index: Returns the index of an element selected via a binary search as determined by a given block.
sample: Returns one or more random elements.
shuffle: Returns elements in a random order.

Methods for Assigning

These methods add, replace, or reorder elements in self.

[]=: Assigns specified elements with a given object.
push, append, <<: Appends trailing elements.
unshift, prepend: Prepends leading elements.
insert: Inserts given objects at a given offset; does not replace elements.
concat: Appends all elements from given arrays.
fill: Replaces specified elements with specified objects.
replace: Replaces the content of self with the content of a given array.
reverse!: Replaces self with its elements reversed.
rotate!: Replaces self with its elements rotated.
shuffle!: Replaces self with its elements in random order.
sort!: Replaces self with its elements sorted, as determined by <=> or a given block.
sort_by!: Replaces self with its elements sorted, as determined by a given block.

Methods for Deleting

Each of these methods removes elements from self:

pop: Removes and returns the last element.
shift: Removes and returns the first element.
compact!: Removes all non-nil elements.
delete: Removes elements equal to a given object.
delete_at: Removes the element at a given offset.
delete_if: Removes elements specified by a given block.
keep_if: Removes elements not specified by a given block.
reject!: Removes elements specified by a given block.
select!, filter!: Removes elements not specified by a given block.
slice!: Removes and returns a sequence of elements.
uniq!: Removes duplicates.

Methods for Combining

#&: Returns an array containing elements found both in self and a given array.
intersection: Returns an array containing elements found both in self and in each given array.
+: Returns an array containing all elements of self followed by all elements of a given array.
-: Returns an array containiing all elements of self that are not found in a given array.
#|: Returns an array containing all elements of self and all elements of a given array, duplicates removed.
union: Returns an array containing all elements of self and all elements of given arrays, duplicates removed.
difference: Returns an array containing all elements of self that are not found in any of the given arrays..
product: Returns or yields all combinations of elements from self and given arrays.

Methods for Iterating

each: Passes each element to a given block.
reverse_each: Passes each element, in reverse order, to a given block.
each_index: Passes each element index to a given block.
cycle: Calls a given block with each element, then does so again, for a specified number of times, or forever.
combination: Calls a given block with combinations of elements of self; a combination does not use the same element more than once.
permutation: Calls a given block with permutations of elements of self; a permutation does not use the same element more than once.
repeated_combination: Calls a given block with combinations of elements of self; a combination may use the same element more than once.
repeated_permutation: Calls a given block with permutations of elements of self; a permutation may use the same element more than once.

Methods for Converting

map, collect: Returns an array containing the block return-value for each element.
map!, collect!: Replaces each element with a block return-value.
flatten: Returns an array that is a recursive flattening of self.
flatten!: Replaces each nested array in self with the elements from that array.
inspect, to_s: Returns a new String containing the elements.
join: Returns a newsString containing the elements joined by the field separator.
to_a: Returns self or a new array containing all elements.
to_ary: Returns self.
to_h: Returns a new hash formed from the elements.
transpose: Transposes self, which must be an array of arrays.
zip: Returns a new array of arrays containing self and given arrays; follow the link for details.

Other Methods

*

Returns one of the following:

With integer argument n, a new array that is the concatenation of n copies of self.
With string argument field_separator, a new string that is equivalent to join(field_separator).

abbrev

Returns a hash of unambiguous abbreviations for elements.

pack

Packs the elements into a binary sequence.

sum

Returns a sum of elements according to either + or a given block.

for pack.c

Kernel#Array

Returns arg as an Array.

First tries to call to_ary on arg, then to_a. If arg does not respond to to_ary or to_a, returns an Array of length 1 containing arg.

If to_ary or to_a returns something other than an Array, raises a TypeError.

Array(["a", "b"])  #=> ["a", "b"]
Array(1..5)        #=> [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Array(key: :value) #=> [[:key, :value]]
Array(nil)         #=> []
Array(1)           #=> [1]

Array#transpose

Transposes the rows and columns in an Array of Arrays; the nested Arrays must all be the same size:

a = [[:a0, :a1], [:b0, :b1], [:c0, :c1]]
a.transpose # => [[:a0, :b0, :c0], [:a1, :b1, :c1]]

Array#clear

Removes all elements from self:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.clear # => []

Array#rassoc

Returns the first element in self that is an Array whose second element == obj:

a = [{foo: 0}, [2, 4], [4, 5, 6], [4, 5]]
a.rassoc(4) # => [2, 4]

Returns nil if no such element is found.

Related: assoc.

Array#bsearch

Returns an element from self selected by a binary search.

See Binary Searching.

WIN32OLE_VARIANT::array

Returns Ruby object wrapping OLE variant whose variant type is VT_ARRAY. The first argument should be Array object which specifies dimensions and each size of dimensions of OLE array. The second argument specifies variant type of the element of OLE array.

The following create 2 dimensions OLE array. The first dimensions size is 3, and the second is 4.

ole_ary = WIN32OLE_VARIANT.array([3,4], VT_I4)
ruby_ary = ole_ary.value # => [[0, 0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0, 0]]

Array#to_ary

Returns self.

Array#bsearch_index

Searches self as described at method bsearch, but returns the index of the found element instead of the element itself.

Array::[]

Returns a new array populated with the given objects.

Array.[]( 1, 'a', /^A/)  # => [1, "a", /^A/]
Array[ 1, 'a', /^A/ ]    # => [1, "a", /^A/]
[ 1, 'a', /^A/ ]         # => [1, "a", /^A/]

Array::new

Returns a new Array.

With no block and no arguments, returns a new empty Array object.

With no block and a single Array argument array, returns a new Array formed from array:

a = Array.new([:foo, 'bar', 2])
a.class # => Array
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

With no block and a single Integer argument size, returns a new Array of the given size whose elements are all nil:

a = Array.new(3)
a # => [nil, nil, nil]

With no block and arguments size and default_value, returns an Array of the given size; each element is that same default_value:

a = Array.new(3, 'x')
a # => ['x', 'x', 'x']

With a block and argument size, returns an Array of the given size; the block is called with each successive integer index; the element for that index is the return value from the block:

a = Array.new(3) {|index| "Element #{index}" }
a # => ["Element 0", "Element 1", "Element 2"]

Raises ArgumentError if size is negative.

With a block and no argument, or a single argument 0, ignores the block and returns a new empty Array.

Array#inspect

Returns the new String formed by calling method #inspect on each array element:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.inspect # => "[:foo, \"bar\", 2]"

Array#to_s is an alias for Array#inspect.

Array#==

Returns true if both array.size == other_array.size and for each index i in array, array[i] == other_array[i]:

a0 = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a1 = [:foo, 'bar', 2.0]
a1 == a0 # => true
[] == [] # => true

Otherwise, returns false.

This method is different from method Array#eql?, which compares elements using Object#eql?.

Array#eql?

Returns true if self and other_array are the same size, and if, for each index i in self, self[i].eql? other_array[i]:

a0 = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a1 = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a1.eql?(a0) # => true

Otherwise, returns false.

This method is different from method Array#==, which compares using method Object#==.

Array#hash

Returns the integer hash value for self.

Two arrays with the same content will have the same hash code (and will compare using eql?):

[0, 1, 2].hash == [0, 1, 2].hash # => true
[0, 1, 2].hash == [0, 1, 3].hash # => false

Array#[]

Returns elements from self; does not modify self.

When a single Integer argument index is given, returns the element at offset index:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0] # => :foo
a[2] # => 2
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

If index is negative, counts relative to the end of self:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[-1] # => 2
a[-2] # => "bar"

If index is out of range, returns nil.

When two Integer arguments start and length are given, returns a new Array of size length containing successive elements beginning at offset start:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0, 2] # => [:foo, "bar"]
a[1, 2] # => ["bar", 2]

If start + length is greater than self.length, returns all elements from offset start to the end:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0, 4] # => [:foo, "bar", 2]
a[1, 3] # => ["bar", 2]
a[2, 2] # => [2]

If start == self.size and length >= 0, returns a new empty Array.

If length is negative, returns nil.

When a single Range argument range is given, treats range.min as start above and range.size as length above:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0..1] # => [:foo, "bar"]
a[1..2] # => ["bar", 2]

Special case: If range.start == a.size, returns a new empty Array.

If range.end is negative, calculates the end index from the end:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0..-1] # => [:foo, "bar", 2]
a[0..-2] # => [:foo, "bar"]
a[0..-3] # => [:foo]

If range.start is negative, calculates the start index from the end:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[-1..2] # => [2]
a[-2..2] # => ["bar", 2]
a[-3..2] # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

If range.start is larger than the array size, returns nil.

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[4..1] # => nil
a[4..0] # => nil
a[4..-1] # => nil

When a single Enumerator::ArithmeticSequence argument aseq is given, returns an Array of elements corresponding to the indexes produced by the sequence.

a = ['--', 'data1', '--', 'data2', '--', 'data3']
a[(1..).step(2)] # => ["data1", "data2", "data3"]

Unlike slicing with range, if the start or the end of the arithmetic sequence is larger than array size, throws RangeError.

a = ['--', 'data1', '--', 'data2', '--', 'data3']
a[(1..11).step(2)]
# RangeError (((1..11).step(2)) out of range)
a[(7..).step(2)]
# RangeError (((7..).step(2)) out of range)

If given a single argument, and its type is not one of the listed, tries to convert it to Integer, and raises if it is impossible:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
# Raises TypeError (no implicit conversion of Symbol into Integer):
a[:foo]

Array#slice is an alias for Array#[].

Array#[]=

Assigns elements in self; returns the given object.

When Integer argument index is given, assigns object to an element in self.

If index is non-negative, assigns object the element at offset index:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => ["foo", "bar", 2]

If index is greater than self.length, extends the array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[7] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2, nil, nil, nil, nil, "foo"]

If index is negative, counts backwards from the end of the array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[-1] = 'two' # => "two"
a # => [:foo, "bar", "two"]

When Integer arguments start and length are given and object is not an Array, removes length - 1 elements beginning at offset start, and assigns object at offset start:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0, 2] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => ["foo", 2]

If start is negative, counts backwards from the end of the array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[-2, 2] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo"]

If start is non-negative and outside the array ( >= self.size), extends the array with nil, assigns object at offset start, and ignores length:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[6, 50] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2, nil, nil, nil, "foo"]

If length is zero, shifts elements at and following offset start and assigns object at offset start:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1, 0] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo", "bar", 2]

If length is too large for the existing array, does not extend the array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1, 5] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo"]

When Range argument range is given and object is an Array, removes length - 1 elements beginning at offset start, and assigns object at offset start:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[0..1] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => ["foo", 2]

if range.begin is negative, counts backwards from the end of the array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[-2..2] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo"]

If the array length is less than range.begin, assigns object at offset range.begin, and ignores length:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[6..50] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2, nil, nil, nil, "foo"]

If range.end is zero, shifts elements at and following offset start and assigns object at offset start:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1..0] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo", "bar", 2]

If range.end is negative, assigns object at offset start, retains range.end.abs -1 elements past that, and removes those beyond:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1..-1] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo"]
a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1..-2] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo", 2]
a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1..-3] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo", "bar", 2]
a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]

If range.end is too large for the existing array, replaces array elements, but does not extend the array with nil values:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a[1..5] = 'foo' # => "foo"
a # => [:foo, "foo"]

Array#at

Returns the element at Integer offset index; does not modify self.

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.at(0) # => :foo
a.at(2) # => 2

Array#fetch

Returns the element at offset index.

With the single Integer argument index, returns the element at offset index:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.fetch(1) # => "bar"

If index is negative, counts from the end of the array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.fetch(-1) # => 2
a.fetch(-2) # => "bar"

With arguments index and default_value, returns the element at offset index if index is in range, otherwise returns default_value:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.fetch(1, nil) # => "bar"

With argument index and a block, returns the element at offset index if index is in range (and the block is not called); otherwise calls the block with index and returns its return value:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.fetch(1) {|index| raise 'Cannot happen' } # => "bar"
a.fetch(50) {|index| "Value for #{index}" } # => "Value for 50"

Array#first

Returns elements from self; does not modify self.

When no argument is given, returns the first element:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.first # => :foo
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

If self is empty, returns nil.

When non-negative Integer argument n is given, returns the first n elements in a new Array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.first(2) # => [:foo, "bar"]

If n >= array.size, returns all elements:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.first(50) # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

If n == 0 returns an new empty Array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.first(0) # []

Related: last.

Array#last

Returns elements from self; self is not modified.

When no argument is given, returns the last element:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.last # => 2
a # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

If self is empty, returns nil.

When non-negative Innteger argument n is given, returns the last n elements in a new Array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.last(2) # => ["bar", 2]

If n >= array.size, returns all elements:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.last(50) # => [:foo, "bar", 2]

If n == 0, returns an new empty Array:

a = [:foo, 'bar', 2]
a.last(0) # []

Related: first.

Array#concat

Adds to array all elements from each Array in other_arrays; returns self:

a = [0, 1]
a.concat([2, 3], [4, 5]) # => [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Array#union

Returns a new Array that is the union of self and all given Arrays other_arrays; duplicates are removed; order is preserved; items are compared using eql?:

[0, 1, 2, 3].union([4, 5], [6, 7]) # => [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
[0, 1, 1].union([2, 1], [3, 1]) # => [0, 1, 2, 3]
[0, 1, 2, 3].union([3, 2], [1, 0]) # => [0, 1, 2, 3]

Returns a copy of self if no arguments given.

Related: Array#|.

Array#difference

Returns a new Array containing only those elements from self that are not found in any of the Arrays other_arrays; items are compared using eql?; order from self is preserved:

[0, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1].difference([1]) # => [0, 2, 3]
[0, 1, 2, 3].difference([3, 0], [1, 3]) # => [2]
[0, 1, 2].difference([4]) # => [0, 1, 2]

Returns a copy of self if no arguments given.

Related: Array#-.

Array#intersection

Returns a new Array containing each element found both in self and in all of the given Arrays other_arrays; duplicates are omitted; items are compared using eql?:

[0, 1, 2, 3].intersection([0, 1, 2], [0, 1, 3]) # => [0, 1]
[0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3].intersection([0, 1, 2], [0, 1, 3]) # => [0, 1]

Preserves order from self:

[0, 1, 2].intersection([2, 1, 0]) # => [0, 1, 2]

Returns a copy of self if no arguments given.

Related: Array#&.

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Results for: "Array"

Array Indexes

Creating Arrays

Example Usage

Accessing Elements

Obtaining Information about an Array

Adding Items to Arrays

Removing Items from an Array

Iterating over Arrays

Selecting Items from an Array

Non-destructive Selection

Destructive Selection

What’s Here

Methods for Creating an Array

Methods for Querying

Methods for Comparing

Methods for Fetching

Methods for Assigning

Methods for Deleting

Methods for Combining

Methods for Iterating

Methods for Converting

Other Methods

Obtaining Information about an `Array`

Removing Items from an `Array`

Selecting Items from an `Array`

Methods for Creating an `Array`