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rubyconsolepretty-printirb

IRB and large variables?

How can I print a large variable nicely in an irb prompt? I have a variable that contains many variables which are long and the printout becomes a mess to wade through. What if I just want the variable names without their values? Or, can I print each one on a separate line, tabbed-in depending on depth?

Solution

  • Or, can I print each one on a separate line, tabbed-in depending on depth?

    Use pp (pretty print):

    require 'pp'
very_long_hash = Hash[(1..23).zip(20..42)]
pp very_long_hash
# Prints:
{1=>20,
 2=>21,
 3=>22,
 4=>23,
 5=>24,
 6=>25,
 7=>26,
 8=>27,
 9=>28,
 10=>29,
 11=>30,
 12=>31,
 13=>32,
 14=>33,
 15=>34,
 16=>35,
 17=>36,
 18=>37,
 19=>38,
 20=>39,
 21=>40,
 22=>41,
 23=>42}