shovel eight objects into each array index ruby

Question

Is there a way to refactor this code? The first snippet is what I currently have and the second is the logic I am trying to churn out.

count = 0
until count >= board.length
  if board[count] == nil
    board[count] = [nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil,]
  end
  count += 1
end
board

On my 4th line, I want to do something like

board[count] = (8.times { board[count] << nil })

I know it is just about as long. I am just curious or want to flush my logic out...thanks!!

Answer 1

Try to use Array's constructor

Array.new(8)
 => [nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil, nil] 

Array.new(8, 42)
 => [42, 42, 42, 42, 42, 42, 42, 42] 

and pass a block if you need an object and don't want that each instance is the same

Array.new(8) { Hash.new }
 => [{}, {}, {}, {}, {}, {}, {}, {}]