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The implicit block argument passed to a Ruby method can be executed using yield, or its existence can be checked using block_given?. I'm trying to procify this implicit block to pass it to another method.
Is this possible?
(It's access to the implicit block argument I'm asking about. Replacing this with an explicit argument won't cut it.)
You can procify it, and more importantly give it a name so you can reference it, using the & ampersand unary prefix sigil in the parameter list of the method, like so:
#implicit, anonymous, cannot be referenced:
def foo
yield 23 if block_given?
end
foo {|i| puts i }
# 23
#explicit, named, can be referenced:
def bar(&blk)
yield 23 if block_given? # still works
blk.(42) if blk # but now it also has a name and is a `Proc`
# since we have the block available as an object, we can inspect it
p blk.arity, blk.parameters, blk.source_location, blk.binding
b = blk.binding
p b.local_variables.map {|var| [var, b.local_variable_get(var)] }.to_h
end
quux = "Hello"
bar { |a, b, c = nil, d: nil, &e| puts a }
# 23
# 42
# 2
# [[:opt, :a], [:opt, :b], [:opt, :c], [:key, :d], [:block, :e]]
# ["(irb)", 24]
# #<Binding:0x00007fb091051308>
# { :quux => "Hello" }
Those are your two choices:
implicit, anonymous, not an object
explicit, named, Proc
There used to be an undocumented trick that was actually an unintended side-effect of how Proc::new was implemented in MRI: Proc::new did not check whether you passed a block or not, it simply assumed that you passed a block and would take the first block off the top of the internal VM stack. So, if you didn't pass a block to Proc::new, it would actually end up creating a Proc for the implicit block that was passed to the method (since that was the one which just happened to be on the top of the stack).
But, that was never portable, never guaranteed, never worked in all Ruby implementations, and AFAIK no longer works in YARV.
You can refer to the block argument via Proc.new. From the docs:
::new may be called without a block only within a method with an attached block, in which case that block is converted to the Proc object.
Example:
def bar
yield * 2
end
def foo
bar(&Proc.new)
end
foo(123)
#=> 456
Note that Proc.new raises an ArgumentError when called without passing a block.
Take a look at this answer. In your case it would be something like:
def outer
wrapper = lambda { |something|
p 'Do something crazy in this wrapper'
yield(something)
}
other_method(&wrapper)
end
def other_method
yield(5)
end
outer { |x| puts x + 3 }
With that you get:
"Do something crazy in this wrapper"
8
=> nil
And when would you use one rather than the other?
One difference is in the way they handle arguments. Creating a proc using proc {} and Proc.new {} are equivalent. However, using lambda {} gives you a proc that checks the number of arguments passed to it. From ri Kernel#lambda:
Equivalent to Proc.new, except the resulting Proc objects check the number of parameters passed when called.
An example:
p = Proc.new {|a, b| puts a**2+b**2 } # => #<Proc:0x3c7d28#(irb):1>
p.call 1, 2 # => 5
p.call 1 # => NoMethodError: undefined method `**' for nil:NilClass
p.call 1, 2, 3 # => 5
l = lambda {|a, b| puts a**2+b**2 } # => #<Proc:0x15016c#(irb):5 (lambda)>
l.call 1, 2 # => 5
l.call 1 # => ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)
l.call 1, 2, 3 # => ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (3 for 2)
In addition, as Ken points out, using return inside a lambda returns the value of that lambda, but using return in a proc returns from the enclosing block.
lambda { return :foo }.call # => :foo
return # => LocalJumpError: unexpected return
Proc.new { return :foo }.call # => LocalJumpError: unexpected return
So for most quick uses they're the same, but if you want automatic strict argument checking (which can also sometimes help with debugging), or if you need to use the return statement to return the value of the proc, use lambda.
The real difference between procs and lambdas has everything to do with control flow keywords. I am talking about return, raise, break, redo, retry etc. – those control words. Let's say you have a return statement in a proc. When you call your proc, it will not only dump you out of it, but will also return from the enclosing method e.g.:
def my_method
puts "before proc"
my_proc = Proc.new do
puts "inside proc"
return
end
my_proc.call
puts "after proc"
end
my_method
shoaib#shoaib-ubuntu-vm:~/tmp$ ruby a.rb
before proc
inside proc
The final puts in the method, was never executed, since when we called our proc, the return within it dumped us out of the method. If, however, we convert our proc to a lambda, we get the following:
def my_method
puts "before proc"
my_proc = lambda do
puts "inside proc"
return
end
my_proc.call
puts "after proc"
end
my_method
shoaib#shoaib-ubuntu-vm:~/tmp$ ruby a.rb
before proc
inside proc
after proc
The return within the lambda only dumps us out of the lambda itself and the enclosing method continues executing. The way control flow keywords are treated within procs and lambdas is the main difference between them
There are only two main differences.
First, a lambda checks the number of arguments passed to it, while a proc does not. This means that a lambda will throw an error if you pass it the wrong number of arguments, whereas a proc will ignore unexpected arguments and assign nil to any that are missing.
Second, when a lambda returns, it passes control back to the calling method; when a proc returns, it does so immediately, without going back to the calling method.
To see how this works, take a look at the code below. Our first method calls a proc; the second calls a lambda.
def batman_ironman_proc
victor = Proc.new { return "Batman will win!" }
victor.call
"Iron Man will win!"
end
puts batman_ironman_proc # prints "Batman will win!"
def batman_ironman_lambda
victor = lambda { return "Batman will win!" }
victor.call
"Iron Man will win!"
end
puts batman_ironman_lambda # prints "Iron Man will win!"
See how the proc says "Batman will win!", this is because it returns immediately, without going back to the batman_ironman_proc method.
Our lambda, however, goes back into the method after being called, so the method returns the last code it evaluates: "Iron Man will win!"
# Proc Examples
p = Proc.new { |x| puts x*2 }
[1,2,3].each(&p) # The '&' tells ruby to turn the proc into a block
proc = Proc.new { puts "Hello World" }
proc.call
# Lambda Examples
lam = lambda { |x| puts x*2 }
[1,2,3].each(&lam)
lam = lambda { puts "Hello World" }
lam.call
Differences between Procs and Lambdas
Before I get into the differences between procs and lambdas, it is important to mention that they are both Proc objects.
proc = Proc.new { puts "Hello world" }
lam = lambda { puts "Hello World" }
proc.class # returns 'Proc'
lam.class # returns 'Proc'
However, lambdas are a different ‘flavor’ of procs. This slight difference is shown when returning the objects.
proc # returns '#<Proc:0x007f96b1032d30#(irb):75>'
lam # returns '<Proc:0x007f96b1b41938#(irb):76 (lambda)>'
1. Lambdas check the number of arguments, while procs do not
lam = lambda { |x| puts x } # creates a lambda that takes 1 argument
lam.call(2) # prints out 2
lam.call # ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (0 for 1)
lam.call(1,2,3) # ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (3 for 1)
In contrast, procs don’t care if they are passed the wrong number of arguments.
proc = Proc.new { |x| puts x } # creates a proc that takes 1 argument
proc.call(2) # prints out 2
proc.call # returns nil
proc.call(1,2,3) # prints out 1 and forgets about the extra arguments
2. Lambdas and procs treat the ‘return’ keyword differently
‘return’ inside of a lambda triggers the code right outside of the lambda code
def lambda_test
lam = lambda { return }
lam.call
puts "Hello world"
end
lambda_test # calling lambda_test prints 'Hello World'
‘return’ inside of a proc triggers the code outside of the method where the proc is being executed
def proc_test
proc = Proc.new { return }
proc.call
puts "Hello world"
end
proc_test # calling proc_test prints nothing
And to answer your other query, which one to use and when ? I'll follow #jtbandes as he has mentioned
So for most quick uses they're the same, but if you want automatic
strict argument checking (which can also sometimes help with
debugging), or if you need to use the return statement to return the
value of the proc, use lambda.
Originally posted here
Generally speaking, lambdas are more intuitive than procs because they’re
more similar to methods. They’re pretty strict about arity, and they simply
exit when you call return . For this reason, many Rubyists use lambdas as a
first choice, unless they need the specific features of procs.
Procs: Objects of class Proc . Like blocks, they are evaluated in the scope
where they’re defined.
Lambdas: Also objects of class Proc but subtly different from regular procs.
They’re closures like blocks and procs, and as such they’re evaluated in
the scope where they’re defined.
Creating Proc
a = Proc.new { |x| x 2 }
Creating lambda
b = lambda { |x| x 2 }
Here is another way to understand this.
A block is a chunk of code attached to the invocation to a call of a method on an object. In the below example, self is an instance of an anonymous class inheriting from ActionView::Base in the Rails framework (which itself includes many helper modules). card is a method we call on self. We pass in an argument to the method and then we always attach the block to the end of the method invocation:
self.card :contacts do |c|
// a chunk of valid ruby code
end
Ok, so we are passing a chunk of code to a method. But how do we make use of this block? One option is to convert the chunk of code into an object. Ruby offers three ways to convert a chunk of code into an object
# lambda
> l = lambda { |a| a + 1 }
> l.call(1)
=> 2
# Proc.new
> l2= Proc.new { |a| a + 1 }
> l2.call(1)
=> 2
# & as the last method argument with a local variable name
def add(&block)
end
In the method above, the & converts the block passed to the method into an object and stores that object in the local variable block. In fact, we can show that it has the same behavior as lambda and Proc.new:
def add(&block)
block
end
l3 = add { |a| a + 1 }
l3.call(1)
=> 2
This is IMPORTANT. When you pass a block to a method and convert it using &, the object it creates uses Proc.new to do the conversion.
Note that I avoided the use of "proc" as an option. That's because it Ruby 1.8, it is the same as lambda and in Ruby 1.9, it is the same as Proc.new and in all Ruby versions it should be avoided.
So then you ask what is the difference between lambda and Proc.new?
First, in terms of parameter passing, lambda behaves like a method call. It will raise an exception if you pass the wrong number of arguments. In contrast, Proc.new behaves like parallel assignment. All unused arguments get converted into nil:
> l = lambda {|a,b| puts "#{a} + #{b}" }
=> #<Proc:0x007fbffcb47e40#(irb):19 (lambda)>
> l.call(1)
ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)
> l2 = Proc.new {|a,b| puts "#{a} + #{b}" }
=> #<Proc:0x007fbffcb261a0#(irb):21>
> l2.call(1)
1 +
Second, lambda and Proc.new handle the return keyword differently. When you do a return inside of Proc.new, it actually returns from the enclosing method, that is, the surrounding context. When you return from a lambda block, it just returns from the block, not the enclosing method. Basically, it exits from the call to the block and continues execution with the rest of the enclosing method.
> def add(a,b)
l = Proc.new { return a + b}
l.call
puts "now exiting method"
end
> add(1,1)
=> 2 # NOTICE it never prints the message "now exiting method"
> def add(a,b)
l = lambda { return a + b }
l.call
puts "now exiting method"
end
> add(1,1)
=> now exiting method # NOTICE this time it prints the message "now exiting method"
So why this behavioral difference? The reason is because with Proc.new, we can use iterators inside the context of enclosing methods and draw logical conclusions. Look at this example:
> def print(max)
[1,2,3,4,5].each do |val|
puts val
return if val > max
end
end
> print(3)
1
2
3
4
We expect that when we invoke return inside the iterator, it will return from the enclosing method. Remember the blocks passed to iterators get converted to objects using Proc.new and that is why when we use return, it will exit the enclosing method.
You can think of lambdas as anonymous methods, they isolate individual blocks of code into an object that can be treated like a method. Ultimately, think of a lambda as behaving as an anomyous method and Proc.new behaving as inline code.
A helpful post on ruby guides: blocks, procs & lambdas
Procs return from the current method, while lambdas return from the lambda itself.
Procs don’t care about the correct number of arguments, while lambdas will raise an exception.
the differences between proc and lambda is that proc is just a copy of code with arguments replaced in turn, while lambda is a function like in other languages. (behavior of return, arguments checks)
I'm writing a simple method that adds num to the return value of the block that is passed to it and I noticed that &block and &prc both work. I know that a proc is an object and can be assigned to a variable which could be handy. Is that the only difference though? Is there any difference between these two when it comes to performance, convention, or versatility? Is it ever better to use &block instead of &prc?
def adder(num = 1, &block)
yield + num
end
vs.
def adder(num = 1, &prc)
yield + num
end
Is there any difference between these two when it comes to
performance, convention, or versatility?
There is no difference between these, you able to name it as you want, it's just a name. Some devs call it &blk some &block or &b or &foo ...
>> def foo &foo
>> yield
>> end
=> :foo
>> foo do
?> puts '1'
>> end
1
Strictly saying & is an operator which you can apply to any object, and it will take care of converting that object to a Proc by calling to_proc().
>> def bar(&some_proc)
>> some_proc
>> end
=> :bar
>> p = bar { puts 'Call proc' }
=> #<Proc:0x005601e6d69c80#(irb):4>
>> p.call
=> Call proc
>> p.class
=> Proc
Only the one thing is important, the name should be informative.
Line any argument to your method the name is largely subjective. Typically you'll see &block used if only by convention, but the name itself can be anything you want so long as it's a valid variable name.
In your example you're declaring a block name but not actually using the name. Keep in mind that any Ruby method can be given a block, there's no way to restrict this, but it's up to the method itself to use the block if it wants. That block can be called zero or more times either immediately or at some point in the future. Giving the block to the method surrenders control, so be sure to read the documentation on any given method carefully. There can be surprises.
If you need to chain through a block, declare it with a name:
def passes_through(&block)
[ 1, 2, 3, 4 ].each(&block)
end
If you are going to yield on the block there's no need here:
def direct_call
[ 1, 2, 3, 4 ].each do |n|
yield n
end
end
If you're going to preserve the call and use it later, that's also a case for naming it:
def preserved_call(&block)
#callback = block
end
def make_callback
#callback and #callback.call
end
Any method can check if a block was supplied:
def tests_for_block
if (block_given?)
yield 'value'
else
'value'
end
end
There's a small but measurable cost to capturing a block by declaring it in the method signature, a lot of computation has to be done to properly capture all the variables that might be used in a closure situation. In performance sensitive code you'll want to avoid this.
You can dynamically create a block:
def captures_conditionally
if (block_given?)
#callback = Proc.new
end
end
The Proc.new method will assume control over whatever block has been supplied to the method if one has been.
in your example, there is not a difference between &block and &prc, because in each case you are just passing a block to be call into the method.
Block and proc are similar in that they are both blocks of code.
[1,2,3].each {|x| puts x }
everything within the {} is the block.
A proc is just a block of code that you can name and can be called at a later time.
put_element = Proc.new {|x| puts x}
then you use put_element as an argument in your function.
Is it possible to convert a proc-flavored Proc into a lambda-flavored Proc?
Bit surprised that this doesn't work, at least in 1.9.2:
my_proc = proc {|x| x}
my_lambda = lambda &p
my_lambda.lambda? # => false!
This one was a bit tricky to track down. Looking at the docs for Proc#lambda? for 1.9, there's a fairly lengthy discussion about the difference between procs and lamdbas.
What it comes down to is that a lambda enforces the correct number of arguments, and a proc doesn't. And from that documentation, about the only way to convert a proc into a lambda is shown in this example:
define_method always defines a method without the tricks, even if a non-lambda Proc object is given. This is the only exception which the tricks are not preserved.
class C
define_method(:e, &proc {})
end
C.new.e(1,2) => ArgumentError
C.new.method(:e).to_proc.lambda? => true
If you want to avoid polluting any class, you can just define a singleton method on an anonymous object in order to coerce a proc to a lambda:
def convert_to_lambda &block
obj = Object.new
obj.define_singleton_method(:_, &block)
return obj.method(:_).to_proc
end
p = Proc.new {}
puts p.lambda? # false
puts(convert_to_lambda(&p).lambda?) # true
puts(convert_to_lambda(&(lambda {})).lambda?) # true
It is not possible to convert a proc to a lambda without trouble. The answer by Mark Rushakoff doesn't preserve the value of self in the block, because self becomes Object.new. The answer by Pawel Tomulik can't work with Ruby 2.1, because define_singleton_method now returns a Symbol, so to_lambda2 returns :_.to_proc.
My answer is also wrong:
def convert_to_lambda &block
obj = block.binding.eval('self')
Module.new.module_exec do
define_method(:_, &block)
instance_method(:_).bind(obj).to_proc
end
end
It preserves the value of self in the block:
p = 42.instance_exec { proc { self }}
puts p.lambda? # false
puts p.call # 42
q = convert_to_lambda &p
puts q.lambda? # true
puts q.call # 42
But it fails with instance_exec:
puts 66.instance_exec &p # 66
puts 66.instance_exec &q # 42, should be 66
I must use block.binding.eval('self') to find the correct object. I put my method in an anonymous module, so it never pollutes any class. Then I bind my method to the correct object. This works though the object never included the module! The bound method makes a lambda.
66.instance_exec &q fails because q is secretly a method bound to 42, and instance_exec can't rebind the method. One might fix this by extending q to expose the unbound method, and redefining instance_exec to bind the unbound method to a different object. Even so, module_exec and class_exec would still fail.
class Array
$p = proc { def greet; puts "Hi!"; end }
end
$q = convert_to_lambda &$p
Hash.class_exec &$q
{}.greet # undefined method `greet' for {}:Hash (NoMethodError)
The problem is that Hash.class_exec &$q defines Array#greet and not Hash#greet. (Though $q is secretly a method of an anonymous module, it still defines methods in Array, not in the anonymous module.) With the original proc, Hash.class_exec &$p would define Hash#greet. I conclude that convert_to_lambda is wrong because it doesn't work with class_exec.
Here is possible solution:
class Proc
def to_lambda
return self if lambda?
# Save local reference to self so we can use it in module_exec/lambda scopes
source_proc = self
# Convert proc to unbound method
unbound_method = Module.new.module_exec do
instance_method( define_method( :_proc_call, &source_proc ))
end
# Return lambda which binds our unbound method to correct receiver and calls it with given args/block
lambda do |*args, &block|
# If binding doesn't changed (eg. lambda_obj.call) then bind method to original proc binding,
# otherwise bind to current binding (eg. instance_exec(&lambda_obj)).
unbound_method.bind( self == source_proc ? source_proc.receiver : self ).call( *args, &block )
end
end
def receiver
binding.eval( "self" )
end
end
p1 = Proc.new { puts "self = #{self.inspect}" }
l1 = p1.to_lambda
p1.call #=> self = main
l1.call #=> self = main
p1.call( 42 ) #=> self = main
l1.call( 42 ) #=> ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (1 for 0)
42.instance_exec( &p1 ) #=> self = 42
42.instance_exec( &l1 ) #=> self = 42
p2 = Proc.new { return "foo" }
l2 = p2.to_lambda
p2.call #=> LocalJumpError: unexpected return
l2.call #=> "foo"
Should work on Ruby 2.1+
Cross ruby compatiable library for converting procs to lambdas:
https://github.com/schneems/proc_to_lambda
The Gem:
http://rubygems.org/gems/proc_to_lambda
The above code doesn't play nicely with instance_exec but I think there is simple fix for that. Here I have an example which illustrates the issue and solution:
# /tmp/test.rb
def to_lambda1(&block)
obj = Object.new
obj.define_singleton_method(:_,&block)
obj.method(:_).to_proc
end
def to_lambda2(&block)
Object.new.define_singleton_method(:_,&block).to_proc
end
l1 = to_lambda1 do
print "to_lambda1: #{self.class.name}\n"
end
print "l1.lambda?: #{l1.lambda?}\n"
l2 = to_lambda2 do
print "to_lambda2: #{self.class.name}\n"
end
print "l2.lambda?: #{l2.lambda?}\n"
class A; end
A.new.instance_exec &l1
A.new.instance_exec &l2
to_lambda1 is basically the implementation proposed by Mark, to_lambda2 is a "fixed" code.
The output from above script is:
l1.lambda?: true
l2.lambda?: true
to_lambda1: Object
to_lambda2: A
In fact I'd expect instance_exec to output A, not Object (instance_exec should change binding). I don't know why this work differently, but I suppose that define_singleton_method returns a method that is not yet bound to Object and Object#method returns an already bound method.
And when would you use one rather than the other?
One difference is in the way they handle arguments. Creating a proc using proc {} and Proc.new {} are equivalent. However, using lambda {} gives you a proc that checks the number of arguments passed to it. From ri Kernel#lambda:
Equivalent to Proc.new, except the resulting Proc objects check the number of parameters passed when called.
An example:
p = Proc.new {|a, b| puts a**2+b**2 } # => #<Proc:0x3c7d28#(irb):1>
p.call 1, 2 # => 5
p.call 1 # => NoMethodError: undefined method `**' for nil:NilClass
p.call 1, 2, 3 # => 5
l = lambda {|a, b| puts a**2+b**2 } # => #<Proc:0x15016c#(irb):5 (lambda)>
l.call 1, 2 # => 5
l.call 1 # => ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)
l.call 1, 2, 3 # => ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (3 for 2)
In addition, as Ken points out, using return inside a lambda returns the value of that lambda, but using return in a proc returns from the enclosing block.
lambda { return :foo }.call # => :foo
return # => LocalJumpError: unexpected return
Proc.new { return :foo }.call # => LocalJumpError: unexpected return
So for most quick uses they're the same, but if you want automatic strict argument checking (which can also sometimes help with debugging), or if you need to use the return statement to return the value of the proc, use lambda.
The real difference between procs and lambdas has everything to do with control flow keywords. I am talking about return, raise, break, redo, retry etc. – those control words. Let's say you have a return statement in a proc. When you call your proc, it will not only dump you out of it, but will also return from the enclosing method e.g.:
def my_method
puts "before proc"
my_proc = Proc.new do
puts "inside proc"
return
end
my_proc.call
puts "after proc"
end
my_method
shoaib#shoaib-ubuntu-vm:~/tmp$ ruby a.rb
before proc
inside proc
The final puts in the method, was never executed, since when we called our proc, the return within it dumped us out of the method. If, however, we convert our proc to a lambda, we get the following:
def my_method
puts "before proc"
my_proc = lambda do
puts "inside proc"
return
end
my_proc.call
puts "after proc"
end
my_method
shoaib#shoaib-ubuntu-vm:~/tmp$ ruby a.rb
before proc
inside proc
after proc
The return within the lambda only dumps us out of the lambda itself and the enclosing method continues executing. The way control flow keywords are treated within procs and lambdas is the main difference between them
There are only two main differences.
First, a lambda checks the number of arguments passed to it, while a proc does not. This means that a lambda will throw an error if you pass it the wrong number of arguments, whereas a proc will ignore unexpected arguments and assign nil to any that are missing.
Second, when a lambda returns, it passes control back to the calling method; when a proc returns, it does so immediately, without going back to the calling method.
To see how this works, take a look at the code below. Our first method calls a proc; the second calls a lambda.
def batman_ironman_proc
victor = Proc.new { return "Batman will win!" }
victor.call
"Iron Man will win!"
end
puts batman_ironman_proc # prints "Batman will win!"
def batman_ironman_lambda
victor = lambda { return "Batman will win!" }
victor.call
"Iron Man will win!"
end
puts batman_ironman_lambda # prints "Iron Man will win!"
See how the proc says "Batman will win!", this is because it returns immediately, without going back to the batman_ironman_proc method.
Our lambda, however, goes back into the method after being called, so the method returns the last code it evaluates: "Iron Man will win!"
# Proc Examples
p = Proc.new { |x| puts x*2 }
[1,2,3].each(&p) # The '&' tells ruby to turn the proc into a block
proc = Proc.new { puts "Hello World" }
proc.call
# Lambda Examples
lam = lambda { |x| puts x*2 }
[1,2,3].each(&lam)
lam = lambda { puts "Hello World" }
lam.call
Differences between Procs and Lambdas
Before I get into the differences between procs and lambdas, it is important to mention that they are both Proc objects.
proc = Proc.new { puts "Hello world" }
lam = lambda { puts "Hello World" }
proc.class # returns 'Proc'
lam.class # returns 'Proc'
However, lambdas are a different ‘flavor’ of procs. This slight difference is shown when returning the objects.
proc # returns '#<Proc:0x007f96b1032d30#(irb):75>'
lam # returns '<Proc:0x007f96b1b41938#(irb):76 (lambda)>'
1. Lambdas check the number of arguments, while procs do not
lam = lambda { |x| puts x } # creates a lambda that takes 1 argument
lam.call(2) # prints out 2
lam.call # ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (0 for 1)
lam.call(1,2,3) # ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (3 for 1)
In contrast, procs don’t care if they are passed the wrong number of arguments.
proc = Proc.new { |x| puts x } # creates a proc that takes 1 argument
proc.call(2) # prints out 2
proc.call # returns nil
proc.call(1,2,3) # prints out 1 and forgets about the extra arguments
2. Lambdas and procs treat the ‘return’ keyword differently
‘return’ inside of a lambda triggers the code right outside of the lambda code
def lambda_test
lam = lambda { return }
lam.call
puts "Hello world"
end
lambda_test # calling lambda_test prints 'Hello World'
‘return’ inside of a proc triggers the code outside of the method where the proc is being executed
def proc_test
proc = Proc.new { return }
proc.call
puts "Hello world"
end
proc_test # calling proc_test prints nothing
And to answer your other query, which one to use and when ? I'll follow #jtbandes as he has mentioned
So for most quick uses they're the same, but if you want automatic
strict argument checking (which can also sometimes help with
debugging), or if you need to use the return statement to return the
value of the proc, use lambda.
Originally posted here
Generally speaking, lambdas are more intuitive than procs because they’re
more similar to methods. They’re pretty strict about arity, and they simply
exit when you call return . For this reason, many Rubyists use lambdas as a
first choice, unless they need the specific features of procs.
Procs: Objects of class Proc . Like blocks, they are evaluated in the scope
where they’re defined.
Lambdas: Also objects of class Proc but subtly different from regular procs.
They’re closures like blocks and procs, and as such they’re evaluated in
the scope where they’re defined.
Creating Proc
a = Proc.new { |x| x 2 }
Creating lambda
b = lambda { |x| x 2 }
Here is another way to understand this.
A block is a chunk of code attached to the invocation to a call of a method on an object. In the below example, self is an instance of an anonymous class inheriting from ActionView::Base in the Rails framework (which itself includes many helper modules). card is a method we call on self. We pass in an argument to the method and then we always attach the block to the end of the method invocation:
self.card :contacts do |c|
// a chunk of valid ruby code
end
Ok, so we are passing a chunk of code to a method. But how do we make use of this block? One option is to convert the chunk of code into an object. Ruby offers three ways to convert a chunk of code into an object
# lambda
> l = lambda { |a| a + 1 }
> l.call(1)
=> 2
# Proc.new
> l2= Proc.new { |a| a + 1 }
> l2.call(1)
=> 2
# & as the last method argument with a local variable name
def add(&block)
end
In the method above, the & converts the block passed to the method into an object and stores that object in the local variable block. In fact, we can show that it has the same behavior as lambda and Proc.new:
def add(&block)
block
end
l3 = add { |a| a + 1 }
l3.call(1)
=> 2
This is IMPORTANT. When you pass a block to a method and convert it using &, the object it creates uses Proc.new to do the conversion.
Note that I avoided the use of "proc" as an option. That's because it Ruby 1.8, it is the same as lambda and in Ruby 1.9, it is the same as Proc.new and in all Ruby versions it should be avoided.
So then you ask what is the difference between lambda and Proc.new?
First, in terms of parameter passing, lambda behaves like a method call. It will raise an exception if you pass the wrong number of arguments. In contrast, Proc.new behaves like parallel assignment. All unused arguments get converted into nil:
> l = lambda {|a,b| puts "#{a} + #{b}" }
=> #<Proc:0x007fbffcb47e40#(irb):19 (lambda)>
> l.call(1)
ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)
> l2 = Proc.new {|a,b| puts "#{a} + #{b}" }
=> #<Proc:0x007fbffcb261a0#(irb):21>
> l2.call(1)
1 +
Second, lambda and Proc.new handle the return keyword differently. When you do a return inside of Proc.new, it actually returns from the enclosing method, that is, the surrounding context. When you return from a lambda block, it just returns from the block, not the enclosing method. Basically, it exits from the call to the block and continues execution with the rest of the enclosing method.
> def add(a,b)
l = Proc.new { return a + b}
l.call
puts "now exiting method"
end
> add(1,1)
=> 2 # NOTICE it never prints the message "now exiting method"
> def add(a,b)
l = lambda { return a + b }
l.call
puts "now exiting method"
end
> add(1,1)
=> now exiting method # NOTICE this time it prints the message "now exiting method"
So why this behavioral difference? The reason is because with Proc.new, we can use iterators inside the context of enclosing methods and draw logical conclusions. Look at this example:
> def print(max)
[1,2,3,4,5].each do |val|
puts val
return if val > max
end
end
> print(3)
1
2
3
4
We expect that when we invoke return inside the iterator, it will return from the enclosing method. Remember the blocks passed to iterators get converted to objects using Proc.new and that is why when we use return, it will exit the enclosing method.
You can think of lambdas as anonymous methods, they isolate individual blocks of code into an object that can be treated like a method. Ultimately, think of a lambda as behaving as an anomyous method and Proc.new behaving as inline code.
A helpful post on ruby guides: blocks, procs & lambdas
Procs return from the current method, while lambdas return from the lambda itself.
Procs don’t care about the correct number of arguments, while lambdas will raise an exception.
the differences between proc and lambda is that proc is just a copy of code with arguments replaced in turn, while lambda is a function like in other languages. (behavior of return, arguments checks)