Find value in an array

Question

In Ruby, how can I find a value in an array?

Answer 1

Using Array#select will give you an array of elements that meet the criteria. But if you're looking for a way of getting the element out of the array that meets your criteria, Enumerable#detect would be a better way to go:

array = [1,2,3]
found = array.select {|e| e == 3} #=> [3]
found = array.detect {|e| e == 3} #=> 3

Otherwise you'd have to do something awkward like:

found = array.select {|e| e == 3}.first