Feature #11605: Ruby should raise on def(a='a', b) [optional param that can't be used]

• Status: Rejected
• Assignee: matz (Yukihiro Matsumoto)
• Target version: -

[rosenfeld (Rodrigo Rosenfeld Rosas)]

Why doesn't Ruby complain when defining a method like this?

def a(opt='opt', required)
end

I believe it's impossible to call method 'a' passing only required, while sticking to the default value for 'opt', right? So, why should Ruby allow such definition?

[usa (Usaku NAKAMURA)]

• Status changed from Open to Rejected

Why did not you try actually?

irb(main):001:0> def a(opt='opt',required)
irb(main):002:1>   p [opt, required]
irb(main):003:1> end
=> :a
irb(main):004:0> a('required')
["opt", "required"]
=> ["opt", "required"]

[rosenfeld (Rodrigo Rosenfeld Rosas)]

Oh, thanks. I had no idea on how to try this. I've tried a(, 'required'). Actually, I was reading a method like a(req1, opt='opt', req2) and thought it would be impossible to use the default value, but now I understand how optional arguments work in Ruby. Sorry for the confusion.

[hsbt (Hiroshi SHIBATA)]

• Project changed from 14 to Ruby master