Ruby Scripting Question - Defining Functions

[jrstoup]

I am trying to streamline my code by putting my function calls into a loop. So far, I have been unsuccessful. Anyone care to give me a clue as to why?

#What I have
UI.menu("PlugIns").add_item("Method 1") {method1}
UI.menu("PlugIns").add_item("Method 2") {method2}
UI.menu("PlugIns").add_item("Method 3") {method3}

def method1
  derp = "derp1"
end

def method2
  derp = "derp2"
end

def method3
  derp = "derp3"
end

The above code creates three menu items called "Method 1", "Method 2" and "Method 3". Those entries call the corresponding methods created below them. What I would like to do is put all of that into a loop so I can create as many entries and methods as I want. Here is my rough attempt at that:

#What I want
max = 3
for n in 1..max
  switchStr = ""

  UI.menu("PlugIns").add_item("Method " + n.to_s) {
    switchStr = "method" + n.to_s
    eval switchStr
  }

  def switchStr
    derp = "derp" + n.to_s
  end

end

Now, unfortunately the above code doesn't work. I am currently looking through the Ruby documentation to determine what exactly it is that I need (a proc perhaps?) however I thought I would take a shortcut and ask you. So, what am I doing wrong here? I feel like this should be simple and I'm just missing something. Thoughts?

[TIG]

Why not make one method that takes arguments

module James

###menu
plugins=UI.menu("PlugIns")
plugins.add_item("Some_Method 1"){self.some_method(1)}
plugins.add_item("Some_Method 2"){self.some_method(2)}
plugins.add_item("Some_Method 3"){self.some_method(3)}

### method[s]
def self.some_method(arg=0)
  @derp="derp"+arg.to_s
  ### etc
  self.another_method() if arg > 0
end

def self.another_method()
  UI.messagebox("You chose '"+@derp"' !")
end

end#module

Put your methods inside their own [your?] Module!
Called as James.some_method(arg)
The value of 'arg' can be any type of class - here it defaults to 0, and the .to_s assumes we want to convert it, whatever it is, into a string...
Note, making derp into @derp will allow you to use it in other methods within the same module too !

[jrstoup]

I tried using your function and sadly, regards of which menu item I select ("Some_Method 1", "Some_Method 2" or "Some_Method 3") it always says "You chose 3". Any ideas why I am only getting the final index of the loop?

[TIG]

Without seeing your exact code I don't know...

[Dan Rathbun]

The first line in TIG's example should read:

module JStroup

and the last:

end #module

He typo'd ("method" instead of "module". And I'd use a more unique module name than just "James", but TIG's intent is that you always have your code run inside your own unique "Author" namespace.)

P.S.: This thread should be moved to the Developers forum.

[Dan Rathbun]

@jrstoup said:

I tried using your function and sadly, ... it always says "You chose 3". Any ideas why I am only getting the final index of the loop?

It may work better if you pass the argument on to the another_method(), like:
(Probably the cause is really the "module" typo as above.)

require('sketchup.rb')

module JStroup

  ### method[s]
  def self.some_method(arg=0)
    @derp="derp"+arg.to_s
    ### etc
    self.another_method(arg) if arg > 0
  end
 
  def self.another_method(arg)
    UI.messagebox("You chose '#{arg.to_s}' !")
  end
 

  ### load once block
  unless file_loaded?(File.basename(__FILE__))
    ### menu
    plugins=UI.menu("PlugIns")
    plugins.add_item("Some_Method 1"){self.some_method(1)}
    plugins.add_item("Some_Method 2"){self.some_method(2)}
    plugins.add_item("Some_Method 3"){self.some_method(3)}
    ### reqister file as loaded
    file_loaded(File.basename(__FILE__))
  end
 
end#module

[TIG]

Sorry about the typo !
I've corrected the original post
[== a brain-fart - I must must type 'module' several times a day !]