Objectives

Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Store data in variables and constants.
• Output strings to the screen with puts.
• Interpolate variables in strings.
• Understand the difference between strings and symbols.
• Use comments in your Ruby code.
• Define your own methods.
• Use blocks as method parameters.
• Store and retrieve single and multi-dimensional array data.
• Store and retrieve hash data.
• Code various conditional and looping structures.
• Understand the Ruby’s scoping rules.

Conventions

All source code in the notes will be syntax highlighted like so:

ghost_quota = 37
if (caught_ghosts > ghost_quota)
  puts "You are done for the day."
else
  ghosts_required = ghost_quota - caught_ghosts
  puts "You need to find #{ghosts_required} more ghosts."
end

The output obtained by running the source through an interpreter will be displayed in a monospace font on a grey background:

You need to find 14 more ghosts.