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Ruby Ruby Collections Build a Grocery List Program Method Returns with Hashes and Arrays

Posted by Brian Patterson
Brian Patterson
19,588 Points

So why is this giving me an error?

def create_shopping_list hash = { 'title' => Grocery List, 'items' => Array.new } return hash end

shopping_list.rb 
def create_shopping_list
  hash = { 'title' => Grocery List, 'items' => Array.new }
  return hash
end

2 Answers

Rick Buffington
Rick Buffington
8,146 Points
Rick Buffington
Rick Buffington
8,146 Points

You are almost there. Your syntax for the hash is correct, however you are missing some quotes/apostrophes around the actual title of the list. Ruby is stuck on the word Grocery and then domino's after that.

hash = { 'title' => 'Grocery List', 'items' => Array.new
Brian Patterson
Brian Patterson
19,588 Points

So why in the Shopping list example he does not put name in quotes ? ' def create_list print "What is the list name ? " name = gets.chomp hash = {"name" => name, "items" => Array.new } return hash end '

Rick Buffington
Rick Buffington
8,146 Points
Rick Buffington
Rick Buffington
8,146 Points

The difference is that he is assigning what you type in the console to a variable named "name" - he then uses that variable in the hash. You are are trying to assign a string. Example:

name = "John"   # We are assigning a string to name (you could use gets.chomp like the video)
hash = { "name" => name, "items" => Array.new }    # Here, we use the key "name" and assign it the variable name
# Instead of using a string assignment for value, he is using a variable

The above is the same thing as this without using a variable (like what you were trying to do):

hash = { "name" => "John", "items" => Array.new }
Brian Patterson
Brian Patterson
19,588 Points

Ah I see. The variable name is name = gets.chomp