ruby hash

[cybo]

i'm trying to learn ruby and i have a question about the following code


data = []
line = "first_name=david;last_name=black;country=usa"
record = Hash[*line.split(/=|;/)]
data.push(record)

what does the '*' mean in the hash creation? what does it do?

i.e. the following line



|----------- what does this star do?
|
record = Hash[*line.split(/=|;/)]

help is appreciated

[dv3500ea]

Let's break it down:


line.split(/=|;/)
splits the string
"first_name=david;last_name=black;country=usa" into the array
["first_name", "david", "last_name", "black", "country", "usa"].


Hash[key1, val1, key2, val2, ...] uses its arguments to create a hash
{key1 => val1, key2 => val2, ...}.

The '*' converts the array into a list of arguments. This works in any form of function. eg.


def add a, b
a+b
end
add(1, 2) #-> 3
add([1,2]) #-> ERROR
add(*[1,2]) #-> 3


Summary:


Hash[*line.split(/=|;/)] ==

Hash[*["first_name", "david", "last_name", "black", "country", "usa"]] ==

Hash["first_name", "david", "last_name", "black", "country", "usa"] ==

{"country"=>"usa", "last_name"=>"black", "first_name"=>"david"} !=

Hash[["first_name", "david", "last_name", "black", "country", "usa"]]

[cybo]

thanks for the explanation.