Ruby - print the variable name and then its value

Question

What is the best way to write a function (or something DSLish) that will allow me to write this code in Ruby. How would I construct the function write_pair?

Answer 1

Building on previous answers relating to symbols & bindings ... if passing in the variable name as a symbol works for you (who doesn't love cutting out extra keystrokes?!), try this:

def wp(var_name_as_sym)
  # gets caller binding, which contains caller's execution environment
  parent_binding = RubyVM::DebugInspector.open{|i| i.frame_binding(2) }
  # now puts the symbol as string + the symbol executed as a variable in the caller's binding
  puts %Q~#{var_name_as_sym.to_s} = #{eval("#{var_name_as_sym.to_s}.inspect", parent_binding)}~
end

aa=1
bb='some bb string'
os = OpenStruct.new(z:26, y:25)

Console output:

> wp :aa
aa = 1
=> nil
> wp :bb
bb = "some bb string"
=> nil
> wp :os
os = #
=> nil

Using ruby 2.2.2p95

(Credit to banister for getting binding of calling context)