What are the best practices for using blocks in Ruby?

What are the best practices for using blocks in Ruby?

Using blocks in Ruby can enhance your code's readability and efficiency. Here are some best practices:

1. Use blocks for iteration instead of traditional loops.
2. Keep block code concise and focused on a single task.
3. Prefer using do...end for multi-line blocks and {} for single-line blocks.
4. Avoid using blocks for complex logic; consider methods instead.

Can you give an example of a block in Ruby?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

[1, 2, 3].each do |number|
  puts number * 2
end

This block iterates over an array and prints each number multiplied by 2.

What are the advantages of using blocks?

Blocks provide several advantages:

1. They allow for cleaner and more expressive code.
2. They enable the use of higher-order functions, making your code more flexible.
3. They help encapsulate behavior, reducing code duplication.

Are there any common mistakes to avoid with blocks?

Yes, some common mistakes include:

1. Overusing blocks for complex logic instead of methods.
2. Not using return correctly, as it can lead to unexpected behavior.
3. Forgetting to handle exceptions within blocks, which can cause silent failures.