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Hello everyone, today I will talk about pattern matching in Ruby.
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First of all, I would like to say hi and thank you to my company, Everyleaf Corporation.
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They supported my visit to this fantastic RubyKaigi event, and my book review on magical programming for kids will be published next week. Additionally, I organize an event for the Rubist Book Authority, so please join us.
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Now, who am I? My name is Yuki Torii. I'm an ordinary Ruby programmer, primarily developing web applications using Ruby on Rails. I introduced pattern matching in Ruby at RubyKaigi 2017.
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In this talk, I aim to generate interest in pattern matching among regular Ruby programmers like myself. We will examine the specifications of pattern matching in Ruby, explore the implementations, and analyze how to optimize pattern matching for better performance. The first step in understanding pattern matching is to know its specifications. To start, let’s look briefly at a basic pattern matching example using case expressions, which is quite similar to case when syntax.
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This method checks each pattern against the object, providing a straightforward approach, but it can lead to complications when exceptions arise. While exceptions should be handled carefully, the presence of multiple patterns can complicate the code. In Ruby, we have two operators used in pattern matching, the matching operator and the 'in' operator. They are quite similar, but the 'in' operator can return nil when no match is found. As we see, there are several pattern types, with the first and most basic being Ruby objects.
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Common patterns include hashes and arrays, with hashes playing a significant role in web applications, particularly in handling requests and modifying responses based on the content. By using found patterns, you can also combine them in different ways. For example, you can use variable patterns where the second pattern matches content conditionally while using variables like this.
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Let's explore how pattern matching works in detail. As you know, the Ruby interpreter tokenizes your code and processes it into an abstract syntax tree (AST). This allows us to analyze how the instructions are generated from the abstract syntax tree, which is then executed by the Ruby virtual machine. Understanding these instructions will help us grasp how Ruby pattern matching operates under the hood.
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When we use the disassemble method, we can visualize the interaction patterns used in Ruby. For example, a simple Ruby method compiles interactions where objects and variables are manipulated. The instructions dictate how local variables are set and how they interact with the stack. For instance, when we run a code snippet, the variables are updated as per the instruction sets, and we can see how they manage operations in the stack.
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I’ll detail the implementation of the pattern matching in Ruby, examining the instruction sequences while comparing them to C code for clarity. This comparison will unveil the underlying structure of the matching instructions and reveal how they work through complex code interactions. For instance, if a Ruby object is constructed, it triggers a distinct set of instructions that govern its behavior.
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When we deal with patterns, the first thing to understand is how Ruby determines matches. The patterns evaluate whether constants equal the given object. If not, the pattern checks the object's type and structure, leading to a systematic flow for determining if an object matches.
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Throughout pattern matching, Ruby applies a set of checks to ensure compatibility and correct handling. When checking an array, for instance, it iterates through to see if the objects hold up to the respective constructs.
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The key takeaway is to recognize how the construct method consistently returns an array, which forms the basis for matching operations. This enables us to check whether objects consistently align or if they diverge based on their underlying structures.
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As we conclude, let’s review how pattern matching optimizations in arrays can be approached. When handling array patterns, observations about construction methods play a pivotal role in determining how effectively the patterns match.
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It's essential to ensure the construction process is efficient as we test and debug. For instance, doing so tends to exponentially reduce the complexity over time, yielding quick performance gains.
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However, caution is necessary with overriding constructs as Ruby’s flexibility with open classes means that overrides can significantly affect the interpretation of patterns.
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In my closing thoughts, remember not to override vital constructs in Ruby, as the unintended consequences can lead to undesirable outcomes. Ultimately, this talk is an introduction to understanding how pattern matching can enhance Ruby's robust functionality. I urge programmers to delve deep into the language's specifications. Understanding the mechanics behind what you write will foster greater creativity and efficiency in your coding practices.
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In summary, pattern matching in Ruby is a powerful aspect of the language that shouldn't be overlooked. I encourage everyone to embrace this feature with an understanding of its intricacies and nuances. Your engagement with Ruby's inner workings will surely enhance your programming experience and foster a profound relationship with the language!
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Thank you for listening, and please buy my book!