Methods

Ruby methods are similar to functions in other programming languages. Method names need to start with a lower case letter so that the Ruby interpreter parses them correctly.

Methods are defined between an opening def statement and a closing end statement. Methods accept arguments, contained within parentheses. Methods also need to be defined, before they are invoked.

def add_numbers(x, y)
    x + y
end

puts add_numbers(1,2)

>> 3

Ruby methods have an implicit return value, equal to the final method instruction. An explicit return statement can also be used to return one or more values. The Ruby parser will prioritize the explicit value over the implicit value.

def reverse_numbers(x, y)
    return y, x
end

print reverse_numbers(1,2)

>> [1,2]

Arguments can be passed to Ruby methods by separating the arguments and the method with a space.

puts add_numbers 1, 2

This functionality breaks down when you include additional statements after the method. For example, a ternary statement cannot be used after calling a function method with a space. This functionality breaks down when you are using more complicated statements, like ternary statements.

item = 'orange'
fruits = ['orange', 'grapefruit', 'apple']

x = fruits.include? item ? 'You picked a fruit' : 'You did not pick a fruit'

puts x

In the example above, the argument item should be passed to the method include? using parentheses.

x = fruits.include?(item) ? 'You picked a fruit' : 'You did not pick a fruit'