Ruby convert string to method name

Question

I have two methods defined in my ruby file.

def is_mandatory(string)
      puts xyz
end
def is_alphabets(string)
      puts abc 
end

An array containing the names of the methods.

    methods = ["is_mandatory", "is_alphabets"]

When I do the following

    methods.each do |method| puts method.concat("(\"abc\")") end

It just displays, is_mandatory("abc") is_alphabets("abc") rather than actually calling the method.

How can i convert the string to method name? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!!

On a side note, the Ruby way of doing is_* methods is by using a question mark rather than the prefix "is", i.e. mandatory? and alphabets?. — Jon Cairns
– Jon Cairns, Commented Oct 24, 2012 at 9:42

Sapphire_Brick · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-27 17:00:30Z

63

Best way is probably:

methods.each { |methodName| send(methodName, 'abc') }

See Object#send

edited Sep 27, 2019 at 17:00

Sapphire_Brick

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answered Nov 7, 2011 at 12:28

Chowlett

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3 Comments

Sakshi Jain Over a year ago

If these methods belong to some class?

Chowlett Over a year ago

Then you want something like: obj = OwningClass.new; methods.each { |meth| obj.send(meth, 'abc') }

Jesse Novotny Over a year ago

or if we're talking about class methods, then methods.each{ |method| Class.send(meth, argument) }

Aurril · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-07 12:30:23Z

15

Try using "send".

methods.each do |method| 
  self.send(method, "abc")
end

answered Nov 7, 2011 at 12:30

Aurril

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Comments

Gerard Morera · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-02 11:13:38Z

2

All previous solutions with send are fine but it is recommended to use public_send instead (otherwise you can be calling private methods).

Example:

'string'.public_send(:size)
=> 6

answered Jan 2, 2020 at 11:13

Gerard Morera

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Comments

vikas95prasad · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-16 10:29:47Z

0

You can also add hash to send parameters to the method.

send("method_name", "abc", {add more parameters in this hash})

answered Feb 16, 2019 at 10:29

vikas95prasad

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