Question

how can we get the maximum number of letters that are side-by-side?

For example, if we count every side by side maximum letters a:

"Muhahaha, hello world!!!!! Aaaaaaaa" # => 7
"fuu" # => 0
"foobar" # => 1
"aaa bbb ccc" # => 3
"aa bb cc aaaaa ff" # => 5

I’m using Ruby 1.9.3. According to the String class, I don’t think there’s already a method that can do this stuff. Maybe the Regexp class could be more useful.

Do you think there’s a sexy way to do it? Thank for any suggestions.

Answer 1

My way is:

"Muhahaha, hello world!!!!! Aaaaaaaa".scan(/a+/).max.length #=> 7

or if that will not work then (but it should)

"Muhahaha, hello world!!!!! Aaaaaaaa".scan(/a+/).sort.last.length #=> 7