Eloquent Ruby

Chapter 17. Use Blocks to Iterate

For programmers new to Ruby, code blocks are generally the first sign that they have definitely departed Kansas. Part syntax, part method, and part object, the code block is one of the key features that gives the Ruby programming language its unique feel. In fact, code blocks are kind of the Swiss Army Knife of Ruby programming; we use them for everything from initializing objects to building DSLs. In the next few chapters we will take a hard look at code blocks and the things you can do with them. The idea is to get beyond simply passing blocks to other people’s methods and move on to squeezing the last bit of utility out of the code blocks that get passed into your own methods.

We’re going to kick things off ...