how can i rename a operator method with words, respecting sintax in ruby?

Question

I'm trying to add an alias to a class method that uses an operator in ruby. My problem is that i would like to keep the new alias with the sintax of the operator

def &(estrategia) does something end

I would like to have the same result doing Myclass.new & estrategia, but like this: Myclass.new with estrategia Is there a way in ruby, to achieve this?

   class Trait
     def & (strategy)
        p "hi #{strategy}"
     end
   alias with &
  end

 Trait.new & "John"
 Trait.new with "John"

Yes, i just uploaded the code below. If you could help i'd be great — facuhump, May 11 '20 at 21:39
Please edit your original question. Also, please don't put a link to an image/an image but type the code so people can copy/paste and try it. — Clara, May 11 '20 at 21:46

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered May 11 '20 at 21:56

0

You probably miss .with your method call.

class Trait
     def & (strategy)
        p "hi #{strategy}"
     end
   alias with &
end

Trait.new.& "John"
Trait.new.with "John"

answered May 11 '20 at 21:56

Masafumi Okura

694
3
12

No, what i would like to achieve, if possible, is to do it without the "." – facuhump May 11 '20 at 22:03

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered May 11 '20 at 22:06

Ruby has particular operators you can override, like %, +, and &, but you can't just invent arbitrary operators on a whim. You need to work with pre-existing ones.

This is a function of how the Ruby parser works. It can only identify a pre-defined set of symbols outside of regular method calls.

Trait.new.with x is a method call, equivalent to Trait.new.send(:with, x), while Trait.new with x is Trait.new(with(x)) which is not what you want.

Your alias creates a method, it does not create an operator. You cannot create a brand-new operator.

You're going to have to decide between the two forms x & y vs. x.with y.

well i'll stick to ruby operators then haha,thank you – facuhump May 11 '20 at 22:31 — facuhump, May 11 '20 at 22:31

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 11 '20 at 22:45

The & is a default operator in Ruby and you can override with your method. But with is not an operator. In this case, you will need to add a new operator to Ruby, which is kind of tricky. There is a discussion about adding new operator in Ruby here Define custom Ruby operator but I don't think it's worth to do that.

how can i rename a operator method with words, respecting sintax in ruby?

3 Answers3