We’ve been using syntax like counter = counter + 1
, which works, but as you’ll increasingly find with Ruby, there’s always another way.
A shortcut is to use an assignment operator. You already know one assignment operator: =
, which sets a variable. You can update a variable with additional assignment operators, however, which include +=
, -=
, *=
, and /=
. For instance, when you type
counter += 1
You’re telling Ruby: “Add 1 to counter
, then assign that new value back to counter
.” This provides a succinct way of updating variable values in our programs.
Some languages have the increment operators ++
and --
(which also add or subtract 1 from a value), but Ruby does not. You’ll have to make do with +=
and -=
!
Instructions
The loop from the first exercise is in the editor. Rewrite it using the appropriate assignment operator.