class Hash

A Hash maps each of its unique keys to a specific value.

A Hash has certain similarities to an Array, but:

An Array index is always an Integer.
A Hash key can be (almost) any object.

`Hash` Data Syntax¶ ↑

The older syntax for Hash data uses the “hash rocket,” =>:

h = {:foo => 0, :bar => 1, :baz => 2}
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Alternatively, but only for a Hash key that’s a Symbol, you can use a newer JSON-style syntax, where each bareword becomes a Symbol:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

You can also use a String in place of a bareword:

h = {'foo': 0, 'bar': 1, 'baz': 2}
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

And you can mix the styles:

h = {foo: 0, :bar => 1, 'baz': 2}
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

But it’s an error to try the JSON-style syntax for a key that’s not a bareword or a String:

# Raises SyntaxError (syntax error, unexpected ':', expecting =>):
h = {0: 'zero'}

Hash value can be omitted, meaning that value will be fetched from the context by the name of the key:

x = 0
y = 100
h = {x:, y:}
h # => {:x=>0, :y=>100}

Common Uses¶ ↑

You can use a Hash to give names to objects:

person = {name: 'Matz', language: 'Ruby'}
person # => {:name=>"Matz", :language=>"Ruby"}

You can use a Hash to give names to method arguments:

def some_method(hash)
  p hash
end
some_method({foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}) # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Note: when the last argument in a method call is a Hash, the curly braces may be omitted:

some_method(foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2) # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

You can use a Hash to initialize an object:

class Dev
  attr_accessor :name, :language
  def initialize(hash)
    self.name = hash[:name]
    self.language = hash[:language]
  end
end
matz = Dev.new(name: 'Matz', language: 'Ruby')
matz # => #<Dev: @name="Matz", @language="Ruby">

Creating a `Hash`¶ ↑

You can create a Hash object explicitly with:

A hash literal.

You can convert certain objects to Hashes with:

Method Hash.

You can create a Hash by calling method Hash.new.

Create an empty Hash:

h = Hash.new
h # => {}
h.class # => Hash

You can create a Hash by calling method Hash.[].

Create an empty Hash:

h = Hash[]
h # => {}

Create a Hash with initial entries:

h = Hash[foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2]
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

You can create a Hash by using its literal form (curly braces).

Create an empty Hash:

h = {}
h # => {}

Create a Hash with initial entries:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

`Hash` Value Basics¶ ↑

The simplest way to retrieve a Hash value (instance method []):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h[:foo] # => 0

The simplest way to create or update a Hash value (instance method []=):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h[:bat] = 3 # => 3
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2, :bat=>3}
h[:foo] = 4 # => 4
h # => {:foo=>4, :bar=>1, :baz=>2, :bat=>3}

The simplest way to delete a Hash entry (instance method delete):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.delete(:bar) # => 1
h # => {:foo=>0, :baz=>2}

Entry Order¶ ↑

A Hash object presents its entries in the order of their creation. This is seen in:

Iterative methods such as each, each_key, each_pair, each_value.
Other order-sensitive methods such as shift, keys, values.
The String returned by method inspect.

A new Hash has its initial ordering per the given entries:

h = Hash[foo: 0, bar: 1]
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

New entries are added at the end:

h[:baz] = 2
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Updating a value does not affect the order:

h[:baz] = 3
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>3}

But re-creating a deleted entry can affect the order:

h.delete(:foo)
h[:foo] = 5
h # => {:bar=>1, :baz=>3, :foo=>5}

`Hash` Keys¶ ↑

`Hash` Key Equivalence¶ ↑

Two objects are treated as the same hash key when their hash value is identical and the two objects are eql? to each other.

Modifying an Active `Hash` Key¶ ↑

Modifying a Hash key while it is in use damages the hash’s index.

This Hash has keys that are Arrays:

a0 = [ :foo, :bar ]
a1 = [ :baz, :bat ]
h = {a0 => 0, a1 => 1}
h.include?(a0) # => true
h[a0] # => 0
a0.hash # => 110002110

Modifying array element a0[0] changes its hash value:

a0[0] = :bam
a0.hash # => 1069447059

And damages the Hash index:

h.include?(a0) # => false
h[a0] # => nil

You can repair the hash index using method rehash:

h.rehash # => {[:bam, :bar]=>0, [:baz, :bat]=>1}
h.include?(a0) # => true
h[a0] # => 0

A String key is always safe. That’s because an unfrozen String passed as a key will be replaced by a duplicated and frozen String:

s = 'foo'
s.frozen? # => false
h = {s => 0}
first_key = h.keys.first
first_key.frozen? # => true

User-Defined `Hash` Keys¶ ↑

To be usable as a Hash key, objects must implement the methods hash and eql?. Note: this requirement does not apply if the Hash uses compare_by_identity since comparison will then rely on the keys’ object id instead of hash and eql?.

Object defines basic implementation for hash and eq? that makes each object a distinct key. Typically, user-defined classes will want to override these methods to provide meaningful behavior, or for example inherit Struct that has useful definitions for these.

A typical implementation of hash is based on the object’s data while eql? is usually aliased to the overridden == method:

class Book
  attr_reader :author, :title

  def initialize(author, title)
    @author = author
    @title = title
  end

  def ==(other)
    self.class === other &&
      other.author == @author &&
      other.title == @title
  end

  alias eql? ==

  def hash
    [self.class, @author, @title].hash
  end
end

book1 = Book.new 'matz', 'Ruby in a Nutshell'
book2 = Book.new 'matz', 'Ruby in a Nutshell'

reviews = {}

reviews[book1] = 'Great reference!'
reviews[book2] = 'Nice and compact!'

reviews.length #=> 1

Default Values¶ ↑

The methods [], values_at and dig need to return the value associated to a certain key. When that key is not found, that value will be determined by its default proc (if any) or else its default (initially ‘nil`).

You can retrieve the default value with method default:

h = Hash.new
h.default # => nil

You can set the default value by passing an argument to method Hash.new or with method default=

h = Hash.new(-1)
h.default # => -1
h.default = 0
h.default # => 0

This default value is returned for [], values_at and dig when a key is not found:

counts = {foo: 42}
counts.default # => nil (default)
counts[:foo] = 42
counts[:bar] # => nil
counts.default = 0
counts[:bar] # => 0
counts.values_at(:foo, :bar, :baz) # => [42, 0, 0]
counts.dig(:bar) # => 0

Note that the default value is used without being duplicated. It is not advised to set the default value to a mutable object:

synonyms = Hash.new([])
synonyms[:hello] # => []
synonyms[:hello] << :hi # => [:hi], but this mutates the default!
synonyms.default # => [:hi]
synonyms[:world] << :universe
synonyms[:world] # => [:hi, :universe], oops
synonyms.keys # => [], oops

To use a mutable object as default, it is recommended to use a default proc

Default `Proc`¶ ↑

When the default proc for a Hash is set (i.e., not nil), the default value returned by method [] is determined by the default proc alone.

You can retrieve the default proc with method default_proc:

h = Hash.new
h.default_proc # => nil

You can set the default proc by calling Hash.new with a block or calling the method default_proc=

h = Hash.new { |hash, key| "Default value for #{key}" }
h.default_proc.class # => Proc
h.default_proc = proc { |hash, key| "Default value for #{key.inspect}" }
h.default_proc.class # => Proc

When the default proc is set (i.e., not nil) and method [] is called with with a non-existent key, [] calls the default proc with both the Hash object itself and the missing key, then returns the proc’s return value:

h = Hash.new { |hash, key| "Default value for #{key}" }
h[:nosuch] # => "Default value for nosuch"

Note that in the example above no entry for key :nosuch is created:

h.include?(:nosuch) # => false

However, the proc itself can add a new entry:

synonyms = Hash.new { |hash, key| hash[key] = [] }
synonyms.include?(:hello) # => false
synonyms[:hello] << :hi # => [:hi]
synonyms[:world] << :universe # => [:universe]
synonyms.keys # => [:hello, :world]

Note that setting the default proc will clear the default value and vice versa.

Be aware that a default proc that modifies the hash is not thread-safe in the sense that multiple threads can call into the default proc concurrently for the same key.

What’s Here¶ ↑

First, what’s elsewhere. Class Hash:

Inherits from class Object.
Includes module Enumerable, which provides dozens of additional methods.

Here, class Hash provides methods that are useful for:

Class Hash also includes methods from module Enumerable.

Methods for Creating a `Hash`¶ ↑

::[]: Returns a new hash populated with given objects.
::new: Returns a new empty hash.
::try_convert: Returns a new hash created from a given object.

Methods for Setting `Hash` State¶ ↑

compare_by_identity: Sets self to consider only identity in comparing keys.
default=: Sets the default to a given value.
default_proc=: Sets the default proc to a given proc.
rehash: Rebuilds the hash table by recomputing the hash index for each key.

Methods for Querying¶ ↑

any?: Returns whether any element satisfies a given criterion.
compare_by_identity?: Returns whether the hash considers only identity when comparing keys.
default: Returns the default value, or the default value for a given key.
default_proc: Returns the default proc.
empty?: Returns whether there are no entries.
eql?: Returns whether a given object is equal to self.
hash: Returns the integer hash code.
has_value? (aliased as value?): Returns whether a given object is a value in self.
include? (aliased as has_key?, member?, key?): Returns whether a given object is a key in self.
size (aliased as length): Returns the count of entries.

Methods for Comparing¶ ↑

<: Returns whether self is a proper subset of a given object.
<=: Returns whether self is a subset of a given object.
==: Returns whether a given object is equal to self.
>: Returns whether self is a proper superset of a given object
>=: Returns whether self is a superset of a given object.

Methods for Fetching¶ ↑

[]: Returns the value associated with a given key.
assoc: Returns a 2-element array containing a given key and its value.
dig: Returns the object in nested objects that is specified by a given key and additional arguments.
fetch: Returns the value for a given key.
fetch_values: Returns array containing the values associated with given keys.
key: Returns the key for the first-found entry with a given value.
keys: Returns an array containing all keys in self.
rassoc: Returns a 2-element array consisting of the key and value of the first-found entry having a given value.
values: Returns an array containing all values in self/
values_at: Returns an array containing values for given keys.

Methods for Assigning¶ ↑

[]= (aliased as store): Associates a given key with a given value.
merge: Returns the hash formed by merging each given hash into a copy of self.
update (aliased as merge!): Merges each given hash into self.
replace (aliased as initialize_copy): Replaces the entire contents of self with the contents of a given hash.

Methods for Deleting¶ ↑

These methods remove entries from self:

clear: Removes all entries from self.
compact!: Removes all nil-valued entries from self.
delete: Removes the entry for a given key.
delete_if: Removes entries selected by a given block.
select! (aliased as filter!): Keep only those entries selected by a given block.
keep_if: Keep only those entries selected by a given block.
reject!: Removes entries selected by a given block.
shift: Removes and returns the first entry.

These methods return a copy of self with some entries removed:

compact: Returns a copy of self with all nil-valued entries removed.
except: Returns a copy of self with entries removed for specified keys.
select (aliased as filter): Returns a copy of self with only those entries selected by a given block.
reject: Returns a copy of self with entries removed as specified by a given block.
slice: Returns a hash containing the entries for given keys.

Methods for Iterating¶ ↑

each_pair (aliased as each): Calls a given block with each key-value pair.
each_key: Calls a given block with each key.
each_value: Calls a given block with each value.

Methods for Converting¶ ↑

inspect (aliased as to_s): Returns a new String containing the hash entries.
to_a: Returns a new array of 2-element arrays; each nested array contains a key-value pair from self.
to_h: Returns self if a Hash; if a subclass of Hash, returns a Hash containing the entries from self.
to_hash: Returns self.
to_proc: Returns a proc that maps a given key to its value.

Methods for Transforming Keys and Values¶ ↑

transform_keys: Returns a copy of self with modified keys.
transform_keys!: Modifies keys in self
transform_values: Returns a copy of self with modified values.
transform_values!: Modifies values in self.

Other Methods¶ ↑

flatten: Returns an array that is a 1-dimensional flattening of self.
invert: Returns a hash with the each key-value pair inverted.

Public Class Methods

Hash[] → new_empty_hash

Hash[hash] → new_hash

Hash[ [*2_element_arrays] ] → new_hash

Hash[*objects] → new_hash

Returns a new Hash object populated with the given objects, if any. See Hash::new.

With no argument, returns a new empty Hash.

When the single given argument is a Hash, returns a new Hash populated with the entries from the given Hash, excluding the default value or proc.

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
Hash[h] # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

When the single given argument is an Array of 2-element Arrays, returns a new Hash object wherein each 2-element array forms a key-value entry:

Hash[ [ [:foo, 0], [:bar, 1] ] ] # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

When the argument count is an even number; returns a new Hash object wherein each successive pair of arguments has become a key-value entry:

Hash[:foo, 0, :bar, 1] # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

Raises an exception if the argument list does not conform to any of the above.

static VALUE
rb_hash_s_create(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE klass)
{
    VALUE hash, tmp;

    if (argc == 1) {
        tmp = rb_hash_s_try_convert(Qnil, argv[0]);
        if (!NIL_P(tmp)) {
            if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(tmp)  && rb_hash_compare_by_id_p(tmp)) {
                /* hash_copy for non-empty hash will copy compare_by_identity
                   flag, but we don't want it copied. Work around by
                   converting hash to flattened array and using that. */
                tmp = rb_hash_to_a(tmp);
            }
            else {
                hash = hash_alloc(klass);
                if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(tmp))
                    hash_copy(hash, tmp);
                return hash;
            }
        }
        else {
            tmp = rb_check_array_type(argv[0]);
        }

        if (!NIL_P(tmp)) {
            long i;

            hash = hash_alloc(klass);
            for (i = 0; i < RARRAY_LEN(tmp); ++i) {
                VALUE e = RARRAY_AREF(tmp, i);
                VALUE v = rb_check_array_type(e);
                VALUE key, val = Qnil;

                if (NIL_P(v)) {
                    rb_raise(rb_eArgError, "wrong element type %s at %ld (expected array)",
                             rb_builtin_class_name(e), i);
                }
                switch (RARRAY_LEN(v)) {
                  default:
                    rb_raise(rb_eArgError, "invalid number of elements (%ld for 1..2)",
                             RARRAY_LEN(v));
                  case 2:
                    val = RARRAY_AREF(v, 1);
                  case 1:
                    key = RARRAY_AREF(v, 0);
                    rb_hash_aset(hash, key, val);
                }
            }
            return hash;
        }
    }
    if (argc % 2 != 0) {
        rb_raise(rb_eArgError, "odd number of arguments for Hash");
    }

    hash = hash_alloc(klass);
    rb_hash_bulk_insert(argc, argv, hash);
    hash_verify(hash);
    return hash;
}

new(default_value = nil) → new_hash

new(default_value = nil, capacity: size) → new_hash

new {|hash, key| ... } → new_hash

new(capacity: size) {|hash, key| ... } → new_hash

Returns a new empty Hash object.

The initial default value and initial default proc for the new hash depend on which form above was used. See Default Values.

If neither an argument nor a block is given, initializes both the default value and the default proc to nil:

h = Hash.new
h.default # => nil
h.default_proc # => nil

If argument default_value is given but no block is given, initializes the default value to the given default_value and the default proc to nil:

h = Hash.new(false)
h.default # => false
h.default_proc # => nil

If a block is given but no default_value, stores the block as the default proc and sets the default value to nil:

h = Hash.new {|hash, key| "Default value for #{key}" }
h.default # => nil
h.default_proc.class # => Proc
h[:nosuch] # => "Default value for nosuch"

If both a block and a default_value are given, raises an ArgumentError

If the optional keyword argument capacity is given, the hash will be allocated with enough capacity to accommodate this many keys without having to be resized.

# File hash.rb, line 37
def initialize(ifnone = (ifnone_unset = true), capacity: 0, &block)
  Primitive.rb_hash_init(capacity, ifnone_unset, ifnone, block)
end

ruby2_keywords_hash(hash) → hash

Duplicates a given hash and adds a ruby2_keywords flag. This method is not for casual use; debugging, researching, and some truly necessary cases like deserialization of arguments.

h = {k: 1}
h = Hash.ruby2_keywords_hash(h)
def foo(k: 42)
  k
end
foo(*[h]) #=> 1 with neither a warning or an error

static VALUE
rb_hash_s_ruby2_keywords_hash(VALUE dummy, VALUE hash)
{
    Check_Type(hash, T_HASH);
    VALUE tmp = rb_hash_dup(hash);
    if (RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash) && rb_hash_compare_by_id_p(hash)) {
        rb_hash_compare_by_id(tmp);
    }
    RHASH(tmp)->basic.flags |= RHASH_PASS_AS_KEYWORDS;
    return tmp;
}

ruby2_keywords_hash?(hash) → true or false

Checks if a given hash is flagged by Module#ruby2_keywords (or Proc#ruby2_keywords). This method is not for casual use; debugging, researching, and some truly necessary cases like serialization of arguments.

ruby2_keywords def foo(*args)
  Hash.ruby2_keywords_hash?(args.last)
end
foo(k: 1)   #=> true
foo({k: 1}) #=> false

static VALUE
rb_hash_s_ruby2_keywords_hash_p(VALUE dummy, VALUE hash)
{
    Check_Type(hash, T_HASH);
    return RBOOL(RHASH(hash)->basic.flags & RHASH_PASS_AS_KEYWORDS);
}

try_convert(obj) → obj, new_hash, or nil

If obj is a Hash object, returns obj.

Otherwise if obj responds to :to_hash, calls obj.to_hash and returns the result.

Returns nil if obj does not respond to :to_hash

Raises an exception unless obj.to_hash returns a Hash object.

static VALUE
rb_hash_s_try_convert(VALUE dummy, VALUE hash)
{
    return rb_check_hash_type(hash);
}

Public Instance Methods

hash < other_hash → true or false

Returns true if hash is a proper subset of other_hash, false otherwise:

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h2 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 < h2 # => true
h2 < h1 # => false
h1 < h1 # => false

static VALUE
rb_hash_lt(VALUE hash, VALUE other)
{
    other = to_hash(other);
    if (RHASH_SIZE(hash) >= RHASH_SIZE(other)) return Qfalse;
    return hash_le(hash, other);
}

hash <= other_hash → true or false

Returns true if hash is a subset of other_hash, false otherwise:

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h2 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 <= h2 # => true
h2 <= h1 # => false
h1 <= h1 # => true

static VALUE
rb_hash_le(VALUE hash, VALUE other)
{
    other = to_hash(other);
    if (RHASH_SIZE(hash) > RHASH_SIZE(other)) return Qfalse;
    return hash_le(hash, other);
}

hash == object → true or false

Returns true if all of the following are true:

object is a Hash object.
hash and object have the same keys (regardless of order).
For each key key, hash[key] == object[key].

Otherwise, returns false.

Equal:

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h2 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 == h2 # => true
h3 = {baz: 2, bar: 1, foo: 0}
h1 == h3 # => true

static VALUE
rb_hash_equal(VALUE hash1, VALUE hash2)
{
    return hash_equal(hash1, hash2, FALSE);
}

hash > other_hash → true or false

Returns true if hash is a proper superset of other_hash, false otherwise:

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h2 = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h1 > h2 # => true
h2 > h1 # => false
h1 > h1 # => false

static VALUE
rb_hash_gt(VALUE hash, VALUE other)
{
    other = to_hash(other);
    if (RHASH_SIZE(hash) <= RHASH_SIZE(other)) return Qfalse;
    return hash_le(other, hash);
}

hash >= other_hash → true or false

Returns true if hash is a superset of other_hash, false otherwise:

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h2 = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h1 >= h2 # => true
h2 >= h1 # => false
h1 >= h1 # => true

static VALUE
rb_hash_ge(VALUE hash, VALUE other)
{
    other = to_hash(other);
    if (RHASH_SIZE(hash) < RHASH_SIZE(other)) return Qfalse;
    return hash_le(other, hash);
}

hash[key] → value

Returns the value associated with the given key, if found:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h[:foo] # => 0

If key is not found, returns a default value (see Default Values):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h[:nosuch] # => nil

VALUE
rb_hash_aref(VALUE hash, VALUE key)
{
    st_data_t val;

    if (hash_stlike_lookup(hash, key, &val)) {
        return (VALUE)val;
    }
    else {
        return rb_hash_default_value(hash, key);
    }
}

hash[key] = value → value

Associates the given value with the given key; returns value.

If the given key exists, replaces its value with the given value; the ordering is not affected (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h[:foo] = 2 # => 2
h.store(:bar, 3) # => 3
h # => {:foo=>2, :bar=>3}

If key does not exist, adds the key and value; the new entry is last in the order (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h[:baz] = 2 # => 2
h.store(:bat, 3) # => 3
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2, :bat=>3}

VALUE
rb_hash_aset(VALUE hash, VALUE key, VALUE val)
{
    bool iter_p = hash_iterating_p(hash);

    rb_hash_modify(hash);

    if (!RHASH_STRING_KEY_P(hash, key)) {
        RHASH_UPDATE_ITER(hash, iter_p, key, hash_aset, val);
    }
    else {
        RHASH_UPDATE_ITER(hash, iter_p, key, hash_aset_str, val);
    }
    return val;
}

Also aliased as: store

any? → true or false

any?(object) → true or false

any? {|key, value| ... } → true or false

Returns true if any element satisfies a given criterion; false otherwise.

If self has no element, returns false and argument or block are not used.

With no argument and no block, returns true if self is non-empty; false if empty.

With argument object and no block, returns true if for any key key h.assoc(key) == object:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.any?([:bar, 1]) # => true
h.any?([:bar, 0]) # => false
h.any?([:baz, 1]) # => false

With no argument and a block, calls the block with each key-value pair; returns true if the block returns any truthy value, false otherwise:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.any? {|key, value| value < 3 } # => true
h.any? {|key, value| value > 3 } # => false

Related: Enumerable#any?

static VALUE
rb_hash_any_p(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE args[2];
    args[0] = Qfalse;

    rb_check_arity(argc, 0, 1);
    if (RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) return Qfalse;
    if (argc) {
        if (rb_block_given_p()) {
            rb_warn("given block not used");
        }
        args[1] = argv[0];

        rb_hash_foreach(hash, any_p_i_pattern, (VALUE)args);
    }
    else {
        if (!rb_block_given_p()) {
            /* yields pairs, never false */
            return Qtrue;
        }
        if (rb_block_pair_yield_optimizable())
            rb_hash_foreach(hash, any_p_i_fast, (VALUE)args);
        else
            rb_hash_foreach(hash, any_p_i, (VALUE)args);
    }
    return args[0];
}

assoc(key) → new_array or nil

If the given key is found, returns a 2-element Array containing that key and its value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.assoc(:bar) # => [:bar, 1]

Returns nil if key key is not found.

static VALUE
rb_hash_assoc(VALUE hash, VALUE key)
{
    VALUE args[2];

    if (RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) return Qnil;

    if (RHASH_ST_TABLE_P(hash) && !RHASH_IDENTHASH_P(hash)) {
        VALUE value = Qundef;
        st_table assoctable = *RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash);
        assoctable.type = &(struct st_hash_type){
            .compare = assoc_cmp,
            .hash = assoctable.type->hash,
        };
        VALUE arg = (VALUE)&(struct assoc_arg){
            .tbl = &assoctable,
            .key = (st_data_t)key,
        };

        if (RB_OBJ_FROZEN(hash)) {
            value = assoc_lookup(arg);
        }
        else {
            hash_iter_lev_inc(hash);
            value = rb_ensure(assoc_lookup, arg, hash_foreach_ensure, hash);
        }
        hash_verify(hash);
        if (!UNDEF_P(value)) return rb_assoc_new(key, value);
    }

    args[0] = key;
    args[1] = Qnil;
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, assoc_i, (VALUE)args);
    return args[1];
}

clear → self

Removes all hash entries; returns self.

VALUE
rb_hash_clear(VALUE hash)
{
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);

    if (hash_iterating_p(hash)) {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, clear_i, 0);
    }
    else if (RHASH_AR_TABLE_P(hash)) {
        ar_clear(hash);
    }
    else {
        st_clear(RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash));
        compact_after_delete(hash);
    }

    return hash;
}

compact → new_hash

Returns a copy of self with all nil-valued entries removed:

h = {foo: 0, bar: nil, baz: 2, bat: nil}
h1 = h.compact
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :baz=>2}

static VALUE
rb_hash_compact(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result = rb_hash_dup(hash);
    if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_foreach(result, delete_if_nil, result);
        compact_after_delete(result);
    }
    else if (rb_hash_compare_by_id_p(hash)) {
        result = rb_hash_compare_by_id(result);
    }
    return result;
}

compact! → self or nil

Returns self with all its nil-valued entries removed (in place):

h = {foo: 0, bar: nil, baz: 2, bat: nil}
h.compact! # => {:foo=>0, :baz=>2}

Returns nil if no entries were removed.

static VALUE
rb_hash_compact_bang(VALUE hash)
{
    st_index_t n;
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    n = RHASH_SIZE(hash);
    if (n) {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, delete_if_nil, hash);
        if (n != RHASH_SIZE(hash))
            return hash;
    }
    return Qnil;
}

compare_by_identity → self

Sets self to consider only identity in comparing keys; two keys are considered the same only if they are the same object; returns self.

By default, these two object are considered to be the same key, so s1 will overwrite s0:

s0 = 'x'
s1 = 'x'
h = {}
h.compare_by_identity? # => false
h[s0] = 0
h[s1] = 1
h # => {"x"=>1}

After calling #compare_by_identity, the keys are considered to be different, and therefore do not overwrite each other:

h = {}
h.compare_by_identity # => {}
h.compare_by_identity? # => true
h[s0] = 0
h[s1] = 1
h # => {"x"=>0, "x"=>1}

VALUE
rb_hash_compare_by_id(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE tmp;
    st_table *identtable;

    if (rb_hash_compare_by_id_p(hash)) return hash;

    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (hash_iterating_p(hash)) {
        rb_raise(rb_eRuntimeError, "compare_by_identity during iteration");
    }

    if (RHASH_TABLE_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        // Fast path: There's nothing to rehash, so we don't need a `tmp` table.
        // We're most likely an AR table, so this will need an allocation.
        ar_force_convert_table(hash, __FILE__, __LINE__);
        HASH_ASSERT(RHASH_ST_TABLE_P(hash));

        RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash)->type = &identhash;
    }
    else {
        // Slow path: Need to rehash the members of `self` into a new
        // `tmp` table using the new `identhash` compare/hash functions.
        tmp = hash_alloc(0);
        hash_st_table_init(tmp, &identhash, RHASH_SIZE(hash));
        identtable = RHASH_ST_TABLE(tmp);

        rb_hash_foreach(hash, rb_hash_rehash_i, (VALUE)tmp);
        rb_hash_free(hash);

        // We know for sure `identtable` is an st table,
        // so we can skip `ar_force_convert_table` here.
        RHASH_ST_TABLE_SET(hash, identtable);
        RHASH_ST_CLEAR(tmp);
    }

    return hash;
}

compare_by_identity? → true or false

Returns true if compare_by_identity has been called, false otherwise.

VALUE
rb_hash_compare_by_id_p(VALUE hash)
{
    return RBOOL(RHASH_IDENTHASH_P(hash));
}

default → object

default(key) → object

Returns the default value for the given key. The returned value will be determined either by the default proc or by the default value. See Default Values.

With no argument, returns the current default value:

h = {}
h.default # => nil

If key is given, returns the default value for key, regardless of whether that key exists:

h = Hash.new { |hash, key| hash[key] = "No key #{key}"}
h[:foo] = "Hello"
h.default(:foo) # => "No key foo"

static VALUE
rb_hash_default(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE ifnone;

    rb_check_arity(argc, 0, 1);
    ifnone = RHASH_IFNONE(hash);
    if (FL_TEST(hash, RHASH_PROC_DEFAULT)) {
        if (argc == 0) return Qnil;
        return call_default_proc(ifnone, hash, argv[0]);
    }
    return ifnone;
}

default = value → object

Sets the default value to value; returns value:

h = {}
h.default # => nil
h.default = false # => false
h.default # => false

See Default Values.

static VALUE
rb_hash_set_default(VALUE hash, VALUE ifnone)
{
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    SET_DEFAULT(hash, ifnone);
    return ifnone;
}

default_proc → proc or nil

Returns the default proc for self (see Default Values):

h = {}
h.default_proc # => nil
h.default_proc = proc {|hash, key| "Default value for #{key}" }
h.default_proc.class # => Proc

static VALUE
rb_hash_default_proc(VALUE hash)
{
    if (FL_TEST(hash, RHASH_PROC_DEFAULT)) {
        return RHASH_IFNONE(hash);
    }
    return Qnil;
}

default_proc = proc → proc

Sets the default proc for self to proc (see Default Values):

h = {}
h.default_proc # => nil
h.default_proc = proc { |hash, key| "Default value for #{key}" }
h.default_proc.class # => Proc
h.default_proc = nil
h.default_proc # => nil

VALUE
rb_hash_set_default_proc(VALUE hash, VALUE proc)
{
    VALUE b;

    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (NIL_P(proc)) {
        SET_DEFAULT(hash, proc);
        return proc;
    }
    b = rb_check_convert_type_with_id(proc, T_DATA, "Proc", idTo_proc);
    if (NIL_P(b) || !rb_obj_is_proc(b)) {
        rb_raise(rb_eTypeError,
                 "wrong default_proc type %s (expected Proc)",
                 rb_obj_classname(proc));
    }
    proc = b;
    SET_PROC_DEFAULT(hash, proc);
    return proc;
}

delete(key) → value or nil

delete(key) {|key| ... } → object

Deletes the entry for the given key and returns its associated value.

If no block is given and key is found, deletes the entry and returns the associated value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.delete(:bar) # => 1
h # => {:foo=>0, :baz=>2}

If no block given and key is not found, returns nil.

If a block is given and key is found, ignores the block, deletes the entry, and returns the associated value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.delete(:baz) { |key| raise 'Will never happen'} # => 2
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

If a block is given and key is not found, calls the block and returns the block’s return value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.delete(:nosuch) { |key| "Key #{key} not found" } # => "Key nosuch not found"
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

static VALUE
rb_hash_delete_m(VALUE hash, VALUE key)
{
    VALUE val;

    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    val = rb_hash_delete_entry(hash, key);

    if (!UNDEF_P(val)) {
        compact_after_delete(hash);
        return val;
    }
    else {
        if (rb_block_given_p()) {
            return rb_yield(key);
        }
        else {
            return Qnil;
        }
    }
}

delete_if {|key, value| ... } → self

delete_if → new_enumerator

If a block given, calls the block with each key-value pair; deletes each entry for which the block returns a truthy value; returns self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.delete_if {|key, value| value > 0 } # => {:foo=>0}

If no block given, returns a new Enumerator:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.delete_if # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:delete_if>
e.each { |key, value| value > 0 } # => {:foo=>0}

VALUE
rb_hash_delete_if(VALUE hash)
{
    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (!RHASH_TABLE_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, delete_if_i, hash);
        compact_after_delete(hash);
    }
    return hash;
}

dig(key, *identifiers) → object

Finds and returns the object in nested objects that is specified by key and identifiers. The nested objects may be instances of various classes. See Dig Methods.

Nested Hashes:

h = {foo: {bar: {baz: 2}}}
h.dig(:foo) # => {:bar=>{:baz=>2}}
h.dig(:foo, :bar) # => {:baz=>2}
h.dig(:foo, :bar, :baz) # => 2
h.dig(:foo, :bar, :BAZ) # => nil

Nested Hashes and Arrays:

h = {foo: {bar: [:a, :b, :c]}}
h.dig(:foo, :bar, 2) # => :c

This method will use the default values for keys that are not present:

h = {foo: {bar: [:a, :b, :c]}}
h.dig(:hello) # => nil
h.default_proc = -> (hash, _key) { hash }
h.dig(:hello, :world) # => h
h.dig(:hello, :world, :foo, :bar, 2) # => :c

static VALUE
rb_hash_dig(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE self)
{
    rb_check_arity(argc, 1, UNLIMITED_ARGUMENTS);
    self = rb_hash_aref(self, *argv);
    if (!--argc) return self;
    ++argv;
    return rb_obj_dig(argc, argv, self, Qnil);
}

each {|key, value| ... } → self

each → new_enumerator

Calls the given block with each key-value pair; returns self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.each_pair {|key, value| puts "#{key}: #{value}"} # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

foo: 0
bar: 1
baz: 2

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.each_pair # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:each_pair>
h1 = e.each {|key, value| puts "#{key}: #{value}"}
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

foo: 0
bar: 1
baz: 2

Alias for: each_pair

each_key {|key| ... } → self

each_key → new_enumerator

Calls the given block with each key; returns self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.each_key {|key| puts key }  # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

foo
bar
baz

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.each_key # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:each_key>
h1 = e.each {|key| puts key }
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

foo
bar
baz

static VALUE
rb_hash_each_key(VALUE hash)
{
    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, each_key_i, 0);
    return hash;
}

each_pair {|key, value| ... } → self

each_pair → new_enumerator

Calls the given block with each key-value pair; returns self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.each_pair {|key, value| puts "#{key}: #{value}"} # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

foo: 0
bar: 1
baz: 2

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.each_pair # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:each_pair>
h1 = e.each {|key, value| puts "#{key}: #{value}"}
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

foo: 0
bar: 1
baz: 2

static VALUE
rb_hash_each_pair(VALUE hash)
{
    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    if (rb_block_pair_yield_optimizable())
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, each_pair_i_fast, 0);
    else
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, each_pair_i, 0);
    return hash;
}

Also aliased as: each

each_value {|value| ... } → self

each_value → new_enumerator

Calls the given block with each value; returns self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.each_value {|value| puts value } # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

0
1
2

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.each_value # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:each_value>
h1 = e.each {|value| puts value }
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Output:

0
1
2

static VALUE
rb_hash_each_value(VALUE hash)
{
    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, each_value_i, 0);
    return hash;
}

empty? → true or false

Returns true if there are no hash entries, false otherwise:

{}.empty? # => true
{foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}.empty? # => false

VALUE
rb_hash_empty_p(VALUE hash)
{
    return RBOOL(RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash));
}

eql?(object) → true or false

Returns true if all of the following are true:

object is a Hash object.
hash and object have the same keys (regardless of order).
For each key key, h[key].eql?(object[key]).

Otherwise, returns false.

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h2 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1.eql? h2 # => true
h3 = {baz: 2, bar: 1, foo: 0}
h1.eql? h3 # => true

static VALUE
rb_hash_eql(VALUE hash1, VALUE hash2)
{
    return hash_equal(hash1, hash2, TRUE);
}

except(*keys) → a_hash

Returns a new Hash excluding entries for the given keys:

h = { a: 100, b: 200, c: 300 }
h.except(:a)          #=> {:b=>200, :c=>300}

Any given keys that are not found are ignored.

static VALUE
rb_hash_except(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    int i;
    VALUE key, result;

    result = hash_dup_with_compare_by_id(hash);

    for (i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
        key = argv[i];
        rb_hash_delete(result, key);
    }
    compact_after_delete(result);

    return result;
}

fetch(key) → object

fetch(key, default_value) → object

fetch(key) {|key| ... } → object

Returns the value for the given key, if found.

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.fetch(:bar) # => 1

If key is not found and no block was given, returns default_value:

{}.fetch(:nosuch, :default) # => :default

If key is not found and a block was given, yields key to the block and returns the block’s return value:

{}.fetch(:nosuch) {|key| "No key #{key}"} # => "No key nosuch"

Raises KeyError if neither default_value nor a block was given.

Note that this method does not use the values of either default or default_proc.

static VALUE
rb_hash_fetch_m(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE key;
    st_data_t val;
    long block_given;

    rb_check_arity(argc, 1, 2);
    key = argv[0];

    block_given = rb_block_given_p();
    if (block_given && argc == 2) {
        rb_warn("block supersedes default value argument");
    }

    if (hash_stlike_lookup(hash, key, &val)) {
        return (VALUE)val;
    }
    else {
        if (block_given) {
            return rb_yield(key);
        }
        else if (argc == 1) {
            VALUE desc = rb_protect(rb_inspect, key, 0);
            if (NIL_P(desc)) {
                desc = rb_any_to_s(key);
            }
            desc = rb_str_ellipsize(desc, 65);
            rb_key_err_raise(rb_sprintf("key not found: %"PRIsVALUE, desc), hash, key);
        }
        else {
            return argv[1];
        }
    }
}

fetch_values(*keys) → new_array

fetch_values(*keys) {|key| ... } → new_array

Returns a new Array containing the values associated with the given keys *keys:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.fetch_values(:baz, :foo) # => [2, 0]

Returns a new empty Array if no arguments given.

When a block is given, calls the block with each missing key, treating the block’s return value as the value for that key:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
values = h.fetch_values(:bar, :foo, :bad, :bam) {|key| key.to_s}
values # => [1, 0, "bad", "bam"]

When no block is given, raises an exception if any given key is not found.

static VALUE
rb_hash_fetch_values(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result = rb_ary_new2(argc);
    long i;

    for (i=0; i<argc; i++) {
        rb_ary_push(result, rb_hash_fetch(hash, argv[i]));
    }
    return result;
}

filter

Alias for: select

filter!

Alias for: select!

flatten → new_array

flatten(level) → new_array

Returns a new Array object that is a 1-dimensional flattening of self.

By default, nested Arrays are not flattened:

h = {foo: 0, bar: [:bat, 3], baz: 2}
h.flatten # => [:foo, 0, :bar, [:bat, 3], :baz, 2]

Takes the depth of recursive flattening from Integer argument level:

h = {foo: 0, bar: [:bat, [:baz, [:bat, ]]]}
h.flatten(1) # => [:foo, 0, :bar, [:bat, [:baz, [:bat]]]]
h.flatten(2) # => [:foo, 0, :bar, :bat, [:baz, [:bat]]]
h.flatten(3) # => [:foo, 0, :bar, :bat, :baz, [:bat]]
h.flatten(4) # => [:foo, 0, :bar, :bat, :baz, :bat]

When level is negative, flattens all nested Arrays:

h = {foo: 0, bar: [:bat, [:baz, [:bat, ]]]}
h.flatten(-1) # => [:foo, 0, :bar, :bat, :baz, :bat]
h.flatten(-2) # => [:foo, 0, :bar, :bat, :baz, :bat]

When level is zero, returns the equivalent of to_a :

h = {foo: 0, bar: [:bat, 3], baz: 2}
h.flatten(0) # => [[:foo, 0], [:bar, [:bat, 3]], [:baz, 2]]
h.flatten(0) == h.to_a # => true

static VALUE
rb_hash_flatten(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE ary;

    rb_check_arity(argc, 0, 1);

    if (argc) {
        int level = NUM2INT(argv[0]);

        if (level == 0) return rb_hash_to_a(hash);

        ary = rb_ary_new_capa(RHASH_SIZE(hash) * 2);
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, flatten_i, ary);
        level--;

        if (level > 0) {
            VALUE ary_flatten_level = INT2FIX(level);
            rb_funcallv(ary, id_flatten_bang, 1, &ary_flatten_level);
        }
        else if (level < 0) {
            /* flatten recursively */
            rb_funcallv(ary, id_flatten_bang, 0, 0);
        }
    }
    else {
        ary = rb_ary_new_capa(RHASH_SIZE(hash) * 2);
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, flatten_i, ary);
    }

    return ary;
}

has_key?(key) → true or false

Returns true if key is a key in self, otherwise false.

Alias for: include?

has_value?(value) → true or false

Returns true if value is a value in self, otherwise false.

static VALUE
rb_hash_has_value(VALUE hash, VALUE val)
{
    VALUE data[2];

    data[0] = Qfalse;
    data[1] = val;
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, rb_hash_search_value, (VALUE)data);
    return data[0];
}

Also aliased as: value?

hash → an_integer

Returns the Integer hash-code for the hash.

Two Hash objects have the same hash-code if their content is the same (regardless of order):

h1 = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h2 = {baz: 2, bar: 1, foo: 0}
h2.hash == h1.hash # => true
h2.eql? h1 # => true

static VALUE
rb_hash_hash(VALUE hash)
{
    st_index_t size = RHASH_SIZE(hash);
    st_index_t hval = rb_hash_start(size);
    hval = rb_hash_uint(hval, (st_index_t)rb_hash_hash);
    if (size) {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, hash_i, (VALUE)&hval);
    }
    hval = rb_hash_end(hval);
    return ST2FIX(hval);
}

include?(key) → true or false

Returns true if key is a key in self, otherwise false.

VALUE
rb_hash_has_key(VALUE hash, VALUE key)
{
    return RBOOL(hash_stlike_lookup(hash, key, NULL));
}

Also aliased as: member?, has_key?, key?

initialize_copy

Also aliased as: replace

inspect → new_string

Returns a new String containing the hash entries:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.inspect # => "{:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}"

static VALUE
rb_hash_inspect(VALUE hash)
{
    if (RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash))
        return rb_usascii_str_new2("{}");
    return rb_exec_recursive(inspect_hash, hash, 0);
}

Also aliased as: to_s

invert → new_hash

Returns a new Hash object with the each key-value pair inverted:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = h.invert
h1 # => {0=>:foo, 1=>:bar, 2=>:baz}

Overwrites any repeated new keys: (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 0, baz: 0}
h.invert # => {0=>:baz}

static VALUE
rb_hash_invert(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE h = rb_hash_new_with_size(RHASH_SIZE(hash));

    rb_hash_foreach(hash, rb_hash_invert_i, h);
    return h;
}

keep_if {|key, value| ... } → self

keep_if → new_enumerator

Calls the block for each key-value pair; retains the entry if the block returns a truthy value; otherwise deletes the entry; returns self.

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.keep_if { |key, value| key.start_with?('b') } # => {:bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.keep_if # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:keep_if>
e.each { |key, value| key.start_with?('b') } # => {:bar=>1, :baz=>2}

static VALUE
rb_hash_keep_if(VALUE hash)
{
    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (!RHASH_TABLE_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, keep_if_i, hash);
    }
    return hash;
}

key(value) → key or nil

Returns the key for the first-found entry with the given value (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 2, baz: 2}
h.key(0) # => :foo
h.key(2) # => :bar

Returns nil if no such value is found.

static VALUE
rb_hash_key(VALUE hash, VALUE value)
{
    VALUE args[2];

    args[0] = value;
    args[1] = Qnil;

    rb_hash_foreach(hash, key_i, (VALUE)args);

    return args[1];
}

key?(key) → true or false

Returns true if key is a key in self, otherwise false.

Alias for: include?

keys → new_array

Returns a new Array containing all keys in self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.keys # => [:foo, :bar, :baz]

VALUE
rb_hash_keys(VALUE hash)
{
    st_index_t size = RHASH_SIZE(hash);
    VALUE keys =  rb_ary_new_capa(size);

    if (size == 0) return keys;

    if (ST_DATA_COMPATIBLE_P(VALUE)) {
        RARRAY_PTR_USE(keys, ptr, {
            if (RHASH_AR_TABLE_P(hash)) {
                size = ar_keys(hash, ptr, size);
            }
            else {
                st_table *table = RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash);
                size = st_keys(table, ptr, size);
            }
        });
        rb_gc_writebarrier_remember(keys);
        rb_ary_set_len(keys, size);
    }
    else {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, keys_i, keys);
    }

    return keys;
}

length → integer

Returns the count of entries in self:

{foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}.length # => 3

Alias for: size

member?(key) → true or false

Returns true if key is a key in self, otherwise false.

Alias for: include?

merge → copy_of_self

merge(*other_hashes) → new_hash

merge(*other_hashes) { |key, old_value, new_value| ... } → new_hash

Returns the new Hash formed by merging each of other_hashes into a copy of self.

Each argument in other_hashes must be a Hash.

With arguments and no block:

Returns the new Hash object formed by merging each successive Hash in other_hashes into self.
Each new-key entry is added at the end.
Each duplicate-key entry’s value overwrites the previous value.

Example:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = {bat: 3, bar: 4}
h2 = {bam: 5, bat:6}
h.merge(h1, h2) # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>4, :baz=>2, :bat=>6, :bam=>5}

With arguments and a block:

Returns a new Hash object that is the merge of self and each given hash.
The given hashes are merged left to right.
Each new-key entry is added at the end.
For each duplicate key:
- Calls the block with the key and the old and new values.
- The block’s return value becomes the new value for the entry.

Example:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = {bat: 3, bar: 4}
h2 = {bam: 5, bat:6}
h3 = h.merge(h1, h2) { |key, old_value, new_value| old_value + new_value }
h3 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>5, :baz=>2, :bat=>9, :bam=>5}

With no arguments:

Returns a copy of self.
The block, if given, is ignored.

Example:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.merge # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}
h1 = h.merge { |key, old_value, new_value| raise 'Cannot happen' }
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

static VALUE
rb_hash_merge(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE self)
{
    return rb_hash_update(argc, argv, copy_compare_by_id(rb_hash_dup(self), self));
}

merge! → self

merge!(*other_hashes) → self

merge!(*other_hashes) { |key, old_value, new_value| ... } → self

Merges each of other_hashes into self; returns self.

Each argument in other_hashes must be a Hash.

With arguments and no block:

Returns self, after the given hashes are merged into it.
The given hashes are merged left to right.
Each new entry is added at the end.
Each duplicate-key entry’s value overwrites the previous value.

Example:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = {bat: 3, bar: 4}
h2 = {bam: 5, bat:6}
h.merge!(h1, h2) # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>4, :baz=>2, :bat=>6, :bam=>5}

With arguments and a block:

Returns self, after the given hashes are merged.
The given hashes are merged left to right.
Each new-key entry is added at the end.
For each duplicate key:
- Calls the block with the key and the old and new values.
- The block’s return value becomes the new value for the entry.

Example:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = {bat: 3, bar: 4}
h2 = {bam: 5, bat:6}
h3 = h.merge!(h1, h2) { |key, old_value, new_value| old_value + new_value }
h3 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>5, :baz=>2, :bat=>9, :bam=>5}

With no arguments:

Returns self, unmodified.
The block, if given, is ignored.

Example:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.merge # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}
h1 = h.merge! { |key, old_value, new_value| raise 'Cannot happen' }
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Alias for: update

rassoc(value) → new_array or nil

Returns a new 2-element Array consisting of the key and value of the first-found entry whose value is == to value (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 1}
h.rassoc(1) # => [:bar, 1]

Returns nil if no such value found.

static VALUE
rb_hash_rassoc(VALUE hash, VALUE obj)
{
    VALUE args[2];

    args[0] = obj;
    args[1] = Qnil;
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, rassoc_i, (VALUE)args);
    return args[1];
}

rehash → self

Rebuilds the hash table by recomputing the hash index for each key; returns self.

The hash table becomes invalid if the hash value of a key has changed after the entry was created. See Modifying an Active Hash Key.

VALUE
rb_hash_rehash(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE tmp;
    st_table *tbl;

    if (hash_iterating_p(hash)) {
        rb_raise(rb_eRuntimeError, "rehash during iteration");
    }
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (RHASH_AR_TABLE_P(hash)) {
        tmp = hash_alloc(0);
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, rb_hash_rehash_i, (VALUE)tmp);

        hash_ar_free_and_clear_table(hash);
        ar_copy(hash, tmp);
    }
    else if (RHASH_ST_TABLE_P(hash)) {
        st_table *old_tab = RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash);
        tmp = hash_alloc(0);

        hash_st_table_init(tmp, old_tab->type, old_tab->num_entries);
        tbl = RHASH_ST_TABLE(tmp);

        rb_hash_foreach(hash, rb_hash_rehash_i, (VALUE)tmp);

        hash_st_free(hash);
        RHASH_ST_TABLE_SET(hash, tbl);
        RHASH_ST_CLEAR(tmp);
    }
    hash_verify(hash);
    return hash;
}

reject {|key, value| ... } → new_hash

reject → new_enumerator

Returns a new Hash object whose entries are all those from self for which the block returns false or nil:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = h.reject {|key, value| key.start_with?('b') }
h1 # => {:foo=>0}

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.reject # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:reject>
h1 = e.each {|key, value| key.start_with?('b') }
h1 # => {:foo=>0}

static VALUE
rb_hash_reject(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result;

    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    result = hash_dup_with_compare_by_id(hash);
    if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_foreach(result, delete_if_i, result);
        compact_after_delete(result);
    }
    return result;
}

reject! {|key, value| ... } → self or nil

reject! → new_enumerator

Returns self, whose remaining entries are those for which the block returns false or nil:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.reject! {|key, value| value < 2 } # => {:baz=>2}

Returns nil if no entries are removed.

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.reject! # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:reject!>
e.each {|key, value| key.start_with?('b') } # => {:foo=>0}

static VALUE
rb_hash_reject_bang(VALUE hash)
{
    st_index_t n;

    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_modify(hash);
    n = RHASH_SIZE(hash);
    if (!n) return Qnil;
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, delete_if_i, hash);
    if (n == RHASH_SIZE(hash)) return Qnil;
    return hash;
}

replace(other_hash) → self

Replaces the entire contents of self with the contents of other_hash; returns self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.replace({bat: 3, bam: 4}) # => {:bat=>3, :bam=>4}

Alias for: initialize_copy

select {|key, value| ... } → new_hash

select → new_enumerator

Returns a new Hash object whose entries are those for which the block returns a truthy value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.select {|key, value| value < 2 } # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.select # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:select>
e.each {|key, value| value < 2 } # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

static VALUE
rb_hash_select(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result;

    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    result = hash_dup_with_compare_by_id(hash);
    if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_foreach(result, keep_if_i, result);
        compact_after_delete(result);
    }
    return result;
}

Also aliased as: filter

select! {|key, value| ... } → self or nil

select! → new_enumerator

Returns self, whose entries are those for which the block returns a truthy value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.select! {|key, value| value < 2 }  => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

Returns nil if no entries were removed.

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.select!  # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:select!>
e.each { |key, value| value < 2 } # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1}

static VALUE
rb_hash_select_bang(VALUE hash)
{
    st_index_t n;

    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    n = RHASH_SIZE(hash);
    if (!n) return Qnil;
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, keep_if_i, hash);
    if (n == RHASH_SIZE(hash)) return Qnil;
    return hash;
}

Also aliased as: filter!

shift → [key, value] or nil

Removes the first hash entry (see Entry Order); returns a 2-element Array containing the removed key and value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.shift # => [:foo, 0]
h # => {:bar=>1, :baz=>2}

Returns nil if the hash is empty.

static VALUE
rb_hash_shift(VALUE hash)
{
    struct shift_var var;

    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (RHASH_AR_TABLE_P(hash)) {
        var.key = Qundef;
        if (!hash_iterating_p(hash)) {
            if (ar_shift(hash, &var.key, &var.val)) {
                return rb_assoc_new(var.key, var.val);
            }
        }
        else {
            rb_hash_foreach(hash, shift_i_safe, (VALUE)&var);
            if (!UNDEF_P(var.key)) {
                rb_hash_delete_entry(hash, var.key);
                return rb_assoc_new(var.key, var.val);
            }
        }
    }
    if (RHASH_ST_TABLE_P(hash)) {
        var.key = Qundef;
        if (!hash_iterating_p(hash)) {
            if (st_shift(RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash), &var.key, &var.val)) {
                return rb_assoc_new(var.key, var.val);
            }
        }
        else {
            rb_hash_foreach(hash, shift_i_safe, (VALUE)&var);
            if (!UNDEF_P(var.key)) {
                rb_hash_delete_entry(hash, var.key);
                return rb_assoc_new(var.key, var.val);
            }
        }
    }
    return Qnil;
}

size → integer

Returns the count of entries in self:

{foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}.length # => 3

VALUE
rb_hash_size(VALUE hash)
{
    return INT2FIX(RHASH_SIZE(hash));
}

Also aliased as: length

slice(*keys) → new_hash

Returns a new Hash object containing the entries for the given keys:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.slice(:baz, :foo) # => {:baz=>2, :foo=>0}

Any given keys that are not found are ignored.

static VALUE
rb_hash_slice(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    int i;
    VALUE key, value, result;

    if (argc == 0 || RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        return copy_compare_by_id(rb_hash_new(), hash);
    }
    result = copy_compare_by_id(rb_hash_new_with_size(argc), hash);

    for (i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
        key = argv[i];
        value = rb_hash_lookup2(hash, key, Qundef);
        if (!UNDEF_P(value))
            rb_hash_aset(result, key, value);
    }

    return result;
}

store(key, value)

Associates the given value with the given key; returns value.

If the given key exists, replaces its value with the given value; the ordering is not affected (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h[:foo] = 2 # => 2
h.store(:bar, 3) # => 3
h # => {:foo=>2, :bar=>3}

If key does not exist, adds the key and value; the new entry is last in the order (see Entry Order):

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1}
h[:baz] = 2 # => 2
h.store(:bat, 3) # => 3
h # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2, :bat=>3}

Alias for: []=

to_a → new_array

Returns a new Array of 2-element Array objects; each nested Array contains a key-value pair from self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.to_a # => [[:foo, 0], [:bar, 1], [:baz, 2]]

static VALUE
rb_hash_to_a(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE ary;

    ary = rb_ary_new_capa(RHASH_SIZE(hash));
    rb_hash_foreach(hash, to_a_i, ary);

    return ary;
}

to_h → self or new_hash

to_h {|key, value| ... } → new_hash

For an instance of Hash, returns self.

For a subclass of Hash, returns a new Hash containing the content of self.

When a block is given, returns a new Hash object whose content is based on the block; the block should return a 2-element Array object specifying the key-value pair to be included in the returned Array:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = h.to_h {|key, value| [value, key] }
h1 # => {0=>:foo, 1=>:bar, 2=>:baz}

static VALUE
rb_hash_to_h(VALUE hash)
{
    if (rb_block_given_p()) {
        return rb_hash_to_h_block(hash);
    }
    if (rb_obj_class(hash) != rb_cHash) {
        const VALUE flags = RBASIC(hash)->flags;
        hash = hash_dup(hash, rb_cHash, flags & RHASH_PROC_DEFAULT);
    }
    return hash;
}

to_hash → self

Returns self.

static VALUE
rb_hash_to_hash(VALUE hash)
{
    return hash;
}

to_proc → proc

Returns a Proc object that maps a key to its value:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
proc = h.to_proc
proc.class # => Proc
proc.call(:foo) # => 0
proc.call(:bar) # => 1
proc.call(:nosuch) # => nil

static VALUE
rb_hash_to_proc(VALUE hash)
{
    return rb_func_lambda_new(hash_proc_call, hash, 1, 1);
}

to_s

Alias for: inspect

transform_keys {|key| ... } → new_hash

transform_keys(hash2) → new_hash

transform_keys(hash2) {|other_key| ...} → new_hash

transform_keys → new_enumerator

Returns a new Hash object; each entry has:

A key provided by the block.
The value from self.

An optional hash argument can be provided to map keys to new keys. Any key not given will be mapped using the provided block, or remain the same if no block is given.

Transform keys:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = h.transform_keys {|key| key.to_s }
h1 # => {"foo"=>0, "bar"=>1, "baz"=>2}

h.transform_keys(foo: :bar, bar: :foo)
#=> {bar: 0, foo: 1, baz: 2}

h.transform_keys(foo: :hello, &:to_s)
#=> {:hello=>0, "bar"=>1, "baz"=>2}

Overwrites values for duplicate keys:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = h.transform_keys {|key| :bat }
h1 # => {:bat=>2}

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.transform_keys # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:transform_keys>
h1 = e.each { |key| key.to_s }
h1 # => {"foo"=>0, "bar"=>1, "baz"=>2}

static VALUE
rb_hash_transform_keys(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result;
    struct transform_keys_args transarg = {0};

    argc = rb_check_arity(argc, 0, 1);
    if (argc > 0) {
        transarg.trans = to_hash(argv[0]);
        transarg.block_given = rb_block_given_p();
    }
    else {
        RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    }
    result = rb_hash_new();
    if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        if (transarg.trans) {
            transarg.result = result;
            rb_hash_foreach(hash, transform_keys_hash_i, (VALUE)&transarg);
        }
        else {
            rb_hash_foreach(hash, transform_keys_i, result);
        }
    }

    return result;
}

transform_keys! {|key| ... } → self

transform_keys!(hash2) → self

transform_keys!(hash2) {|other_key| ...} → self

transform_keys! → new_enumerator

Same as Hash#transform_keys but modifies the receiver in place instead of returning a new hash.

static VALUE
rb_hash_transform_keys_bang(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE trans = 0;
    int block_given = 0;

    argc = rb_check_arity(argc, 0, 1);
    if (argc > 0) {
        trans = to_hash(argv[0]);
        block_given = rb_block_given_p();
    }
    else {
        RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    }
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);
    if (!RHASH_TABLE_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        long i;
        VALUE new_keys = hash_alloc(0);
        VALUE pairs = rb_ary_hidden_new(RHASH_SIZE(hash) * 2);
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, flatten_i, pairs);
        for (i = 0; i < RARRAY_LEN(pairs); i += 2) {
            VALUE key = RARRAY_AREF(pairs, i), new_key, val;

            if (!trans) {
                new_key = rb_yield(key);
            }
            else if (!UNDEF_P(new_key = rb_hash_lookup2(trans, key, Qundef))) {
                /* use the transformed key */
            }
            else if (block_given) {
                new_key = rb_yield(key);
            }
            else {
                new_key = key;
            }
            val = RARRAY_AREF(pairs, i+1);
            if (!hash_stlike_lookup(new_keys, key, NULL)) {
                rb_hash_stlike_delete(hash, &key, NULL);
            }
            rb_hash_aset(hash, new_key, val);
            rb_hash_aset(new_keys, new_key, Qnil);
        }
        rb_ary_clear(pairs);
        rb_hash_clear(new_keys);
    }
    compact_after_delete(hash);
    return hash;
}

transform_values {|value| ... } → new_hash

transform_values → new_enumerator

Returns a new Hash object; each entry has:

A key from self.
A value provided by the block.

Transform values:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h1 = h.transform_values {|value| value * 100}
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>100, :baz=>200}

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.transform_values # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>1, :baz=>2}:transform_values>
h1 = e.each { |value| value * 100}
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>100, :baz=>200}

static VALUE
rb_hash_transform_values(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result;

    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    result = hash_dup_with_compare_by_id(hash);
    SET_DEFAULT(result, Qnil);

    if (!RHASH_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_stlike_foreach_with_replace(result, transform_values_foreach_func, transform_values_foreach_replace, result);
        compact_after_delete(result);
    }

    return result;
}

transform_values! {|value| ... } → self

transform_values! → new_enumerator

Returns self, whose keys are unchanged, and whose values are determined by the given block.

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.transform_values! {|value| value * 100} # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>100, :baz=>200}

Returns a new Enumerator if no block given:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
e = h.transform_values! # => #<Enumerator: {:foo=>0, :bar=>100, :baz=>200}:transform_values!>
h1 = e.each {|value| value * 100}
h1 # => {:foo=>0, :bar=>100, :baz=>200}

static VALUE
rb_hash_transform_values_bang(VALUE hash)
{
    RETURN_SIZED_ENUMERATOR(hash, 0, 0, hash_enum_size);
    rb_hash_modify_check(hash);

    if (!RHASH_TABLE_EMPTY_P(hash)) {
        rb_hash_stlike_foreach_with_replace(hash, transform_values_foreach_func, transform_values_foreach_replace, hash);
    }

    return hash;
}

update

Also aliased as: merge!

value?(value) → true or false

Returns true if value is a value in self, otherwise false.

Alias for: has_value?

values → new_array

Returns a new Array containing all values in self:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.values # => [0, 1, 2]

VALUE
rb_hash_values(VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE values;
    st_index_t size = RHASH_SIZE(hash);

    values = rb_ary_new_capa(size);
    if (size == 0) return values;

    if (ST_DATA_COMPATIBLE_P(VALUE)) {
        if (RHASH_AR_TABLE_P(hash)) {
            rb_gc_writebarrier_remember(values);
            RARRAY_PTR_USE(values, ptr, {
                size = ar_values(hash, ptr, size);
            });
        }
        else if (RHASH_ST_TABLE_P(hash)) {
            st_table *table = RHASH_ST_TABLE(hash);
            rb_gc_writebarrier_remember(values);
            RARRAY_PTR_USE(values, ptr, {
                size = st_values(table, ptr, size);
            });
        }
        rb_ary_set_len(values, size);
    }

    else {
        rb_hash_foreach(hash, values_i, values);
    }

    return values;
}

values_at(*keys) → new_array

Returns a new Array containing values for the given keys:

h = {foo: 0, bar: 1, baz: 2}
h.values_at(:baz, :foo) # => [2, 0]

The default values are returned for any keys that are not found:

h.values_at(:hello, :foo) # => [nil, 0]

static VALUE
rb_hash_values_at(int argc, VALUE *argv, VALUE hash)
{
    VALUE result = rb_ary_new2(argc);
    long i;

    for (i=0; i<argc; i++) {
        rb_ary_push(result, rb_hash_aref(hash, argv[i]));
    }
    return result;
}

class Hash

Hash Data Syntax¶ ↑

Common Uses¶ ↑

Creating a Hash¶ ↑

Hash Value Basics¶ ↑

Entry Order¶ ↑

Hash Keys¶ ↑

Hash Key Equivalence¶ ↑

Modifying an Active Hash Key¶ ↑

User-Defined Hash Keys¶ ↑

Default Values¶ ↑

Default Proc¶ ↑

What’s Here¶ ↑

Methods for Creating a Hash¶ ↑

Methods for Setting Hash State¶ ↑

Methods for Querying¶ ↑

Methods for Comparing¶ ↑

Methods for Fetching¶ ↑

Methods for Assigning¶ ↑

Methods for Deleting¶ ↑

Methods for Iterating¶ ↑

Methods for Converting¶ ↑

Methods for Transforming Keys and Values¶ ↑

Other Methods¶ ↑

`Hash` Data Syntax¶ ↑

Creating a `Hash`¶ ↑

`Hash` Value Basics¶ ↑

`Hash` Keys¶ ↑

`Hash` Key Equivalence¶ ↑

Modifying an Active `Hash` Key¶ ↑

User-Defined `Hash` Keys¶ ↑

Default `Proc`¶ ↑

Methods for Creating a `Hash`¶ ↑

Methods for Setting `Hash` State¶ ↑