Ruby create n numbers of arrays with name array1, array2

Question

I have been scouring the internet for an answer and can't seem to make it work. I'm pretty new using Ruby so please be patient. I am trying to write a program that asks user to choose how many arrays they want to create and that automatically create and name these arrays.

Here's what I have so far, please assume that the user will just input an integer. So if the user types 3 it will create myArray1, myArray2, myArray3

puts 'how many arrays do you want to create?'
number_of_arrays = gets.chomp.to_i

(1..number_of_arrays).each do |i|
  myArray+"#{i}" = Array.new 
end

I am aware that myArray+"#{i}" = Array.new doesn't work but I am trying to find a way to do that, any suggestions and help is welcomed. Thank you!

Make an array of arrays. It may be possible to dynamically create local variables using reflection, but it's definitely not what you want to do. For instance, how would you know which variables are "safe" to refer to if you don't know which variables exist? — Silvio Mayolo
– Silvio Mayolo, Commented Oct 17, 2022 at 20:09
Follow @Silvio's advice. Since v1.8 it has not been possible to create local variables dynamically. — Cary Swoveland
– Cary Swoveland, Commented Oct 17, 2022 at 21:37
Does this answer your question? Dynamically set local variables in Ruby — Alter Lagos
– Alter Lagos, Commented Oct 17, 2022 at 21:39
I agree with all previous commenters - this is a terrible idea. My suggestion is to put the arrays in a Hash, something like arrays = {"array1" => [1,2,3], "array2" => [4,5,6] }. Easy to construct, iterate, pinpoint the one you want, contained etc. — steenslag
– steenslag, Commented Oct 17, 2022 at 23:16

FoxBall · Accepted Answer · 2022-11-06 11:03:50Z

0

You can't create variables dynamically in ruby. But you can use an hash.

puts 'how many arrays do you want to create?'
number_of_arrays = gets.chomp.to_i
array_of_arrays = {}

number_of_arrays.times do |i|
  array_of_arrays["array#{i+1}".to_sym] = []
end

That will return an hash that will look like that:

{:array1=>[], :array2=>[], :array3=>[], :array4=>[], :array5=>[]}

edited Nov 6, 2022 at 11:03

answered Nov 6, 2022 at 0:09

FoxBall

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