Question

def [](index)
  case index
  when 0, -2: @x
  when 1, -1: @y
  when :x, "x": @x
  when :y, "y": @y
  else nil
  end
end

array.rb:3: syntax error, unexpected ':', expecting keyword_then or ',' or ';' or '\n'
  when 0, -2: @x
             ^
array.rb:5: syntax error, unexpected ':', expecting keyword_end
  when :x, "x": @x
               ^
array.rb:6: syntax error, unexpected ':', expecting keyword_end
  when :y, "y": @y
               ^
array.rb:8: warning: else without rescue is useless
array.rb:9: syntax error, unexpected keyword_end, expecting $end

---

I am writing this as is from the book, The Ruby Programming Language.

My ruby version is ruby 1.9.3p0

Has anyone seen this before?

Answer 1

I suggest you use the regular case..when..then form

def [](index)   
  case index   
    when 0, -2 then @x   
    when 1, -1 then @y   
    when :x, "x" then @x   
    when :y, "y" then @y   
  end 
end