Ruby Method Parameters Lab

Learning Goals

• Define a method that takes and uses a parameter
• Define a method that takes and uses two parameters
• Define a method with an optional parameter

Introduction

Now that we've seen a few ways of defining methods to add key functionality to our programs, let's try writing our own methods. You can use the tests to help guide you by running learn or learn test in your terminal; however, this will probably look familiar to you now.

You'll be coding your methods in lib/introduction.rb. Detailed guidance is provided at the end of this lesson, but try to solve these on your own first.

Define a Method That Takes in and Uses an Parameter

Define a method called introduction that takes in the parameter name and outputs the phrase: "Hi, my name is #{name}."

Define a Method That Takes and Uses Two Parameters

Define a method called introduction_with_language that takes in two parameters, name and language and outputs the phrase: "Hi, my name is #{name} and I am learning to program in #{language}."

Define a Method With an Optional Parameter

Copy the previous method and name it introduction_with_language_optional. It takes in two parameters, name and language, but the second parameter is optional. The default value for language will be "Ruby".

Solving this Lab

For this lab, your task is to create three different methods. The first one is called introduction. Before we get to writing the implementation for this method, let's first structure out our method:

def introduction

end

This method takes in one parameter, name, and uses it in a message, so we'll add name:

def introduction(name)

end

Now we need to write the implementation that will output Hi, my name is followed by the provided name and a .

def introduction(name)
  puts "Hi, my name is #{name}."
end

For the second method, we'll need to use two parameters, name and language, but the process is similar. First we define an empty method:

def introduction_with_language(name, language)
  
end

Then add the implementation:

def introduction_with_language(name, language)
  puts "Hi, my name is #{name} and I am learning to program in #{language}."
end

Remember that order of parameters is important! The tests will assume name is the first parameter.

The final method is similar to the last, but with a slight variation - we need to make language an optional parameter:

def introduction_with_language_optional(name, language = "Ruby")
  puts "Hi, my name is #{name} and I am learning to program in #{language}."
end

Run learn to register completion of the tests, then learn submit to submit your work.

Conclusion

We've talked about defining methods and passing in both required and optional parameters. This will be the foundation of creating a lot of functionality in Ruby.