How to Use the Ruby attr_reader Method

09/25/2021

Contents

In this article, you will learn how to use the Ruby attr_reader method.

Using the attr_reader method

In Ruby, the attr_reader method is a built-in method that helps to create getter methods for class attributes. This method generates a simple method that returns the value of an instance variable with the same name as the method. Here’s how you can use the attr_reader method in your Ruby class:

Define your class and instance variables:

class Person
  def initialize(name, age)
    @name = name
    @age = age
  end
end

Use the attr_reader method to generate getter methods for the instance variables:

class Person
  attr_reader :name, :age

  def initialize(name, age)
    @name = name
    @age = age
  end
end

Access the instance variables using the generated getter methods:

person = Person.new("John", 30)
puts person.name #=> "John"
puts person.age #=> 30

In the above example, the attr_reader method has generated two methods: name and age. These methods can be called on an instance of the Person class to access the @name and @age instance variables respectively.

You can also use the attr_reader method to generate getter methods for multiple instance variables at once:

class Person
  attr_reader :name, :age, :gender

  def initialize(name, age, gender)
    @name = name
    @age = age
    @gender = gender
  end
end

In this example, the attr_reader method has generated three methods: name, age, and gender. These methods can be used to access the @name, @age, and @gender instance variables respectively.

#Ruby