New Array on the Block

An Array is a container, which holds values in an ordered fashion.

(If you're using Mac OS X open up Terminal and type irb, then hit enter, to play along at home)

How to create a an Array

my_array = ['Ferrari', 'McLaren', 'Williams']

Get the value of an Array element

my_array[0]

Will return, "Ferrari"

my_array[1]

Will return, "McLaren"

my_array[2]

Will return, "Williams"

my_array.first

Will return, "Ferrari"

my_array.last

Will return, "Williams"

Arrays on the Block

A Block can loop through things. i.e:

my_array.each do |an_element|
puts an_element
end

Returns:

Ferrari
McLaren
Williams

Second Block Example

my_array.each {|an_element| puts an_element}

Returns:

Ferrari
McLaren
Williams

Block example with index

my_array.each_with_index do |an_element, index|
puts "#{an_element} is number: #{index}"
end

Returns:

Ferrari is number: 0
McLaren is number: 1
Williams is number: 2