Method arguments in Ruby allow you to pass data into methods, making them more flexible and reusable. They are essential for creating dynamic and versatile Ruby programs.

Basic Syntax

In Ruby, method arguments are defined within parentheses after the method name:

def greet(name)
  puts "Hello, #{name}!"
end

greet("Alice")  # Output: Hello, Alice!

Types of Method Arguments

1. Required Arguments

These are mandatory arguments that must be provided when calling the method:

def multiply(a, b)
  a * b
end

result = multiply(5, 3)  # Returns 15

2. Optional Arguments

Ruby allows you to specify default arguments, making them optional:

def power(base, exponent = 2)
  base ** exponent
end

puts power(3)     # Output: 9 (3^2)
puts power(3, 3)  # Output: 27 (3^3)

3. Keyword Arguments

Keyword arguments allow you to pass arguments by name, improving readability:

def create_user(name:, age:, email:)
  puts "Created user: #{name}, #{age} years old, email: #{email}"
end

create_user(name: "Bob", age: 30, email: "bob@example.com")

4. Variable Number of Arguments

Ruby supports variable arguments using the splat operator (*):

def sum(*numbers)
  numbers.reduce(0, :+)
end

puts sum(1, 2, 3, 4)  # Output: 10

Best Practices

Keep the number of arguments minimal for better readability and maintainability.
Use keyword arguments for methods with many parameters.
Provide default values for optional arguments.
Use variable arguments sparingly and only when necessary.

Argument Order

When combining different types of arguments, follow this order:

Required arguments
Optional arguments
Variable arguments
Keyword arguments

def complex_method(required, optional = "default", *var_args, keyword: "value")
  # Method body
end

Understanding Ruby method arguments is crucial for writing flexible and maintainable code. They allow you to create versatile methods that can handle various inputs and scenarios.