Variable number of arguments

suggest change

The splat operator removes individual elements of an array and makes them into a list. This is most commonly used to create a method that accepts a variable number of arguments:

# First parameter is the subject and the following parameters are their spouses
def print_spouses(person, *spouses)
  spouses.each do |spouse|
    puts "#{person} married #{spouse}."
  end
end

print_spouses('Elizabeth', 'Conrad', 'Michael', 'Mike', 'Eddie', 'Richard', 'John', 'Larry')

Notice that an array only counts as one item on the list, so you will need to us the splat operator on the calling side too if you have an array you want to pass:

bonaparte = ['Napoleon','Joséphine','Marie Louise']
print_spouses(*bonaparte)

Found a mistake? Have a question or improvement idea? Let me know.

Table Of Contents