## Parameters for New Options¶ ↑

Option-creating methods in OptionParser accept arguments that determine the behavior of a new option:

- `OptionParser#on`

- `OptionParser#on_head`

- `OptionParser#on_tail`

- `OptionParser#define`

- `OptionParser#define_head`

- `OptionParser#define_tail`

- `OptionParser#make_switch`

The code examples on this page use:

- `OptionParser#on`, to define options.

- `OptionParser#parse!`, to parse the command line.

- Built-in option `--help`, to display defined options.

Contents:

- Option Names

  - Short Names

    - Simple Short Names

    - Short Names with Required Arguments

    - Short Names with Optional Arguments

    - Short Names from Range

  - Long Names

    - Simple Long Names

    - Long Names with Required Arguments

    - Long Names with Optional Arguments

    - Long Names with Negation

  - Mixed Names

- Argument Styles

- Argument Values

  - Explicit Argument Values

    - Explicit Values in Array

    - Explicit Values in Hash

  - Argument Value Patterns

- Argument Converters

- Descriptions

- Option Handlers

  - Handler Blocks

  - Handler Procs

  - Handler Methods

### Option Names¶ ↑

There are two kinds of option names:

- Short option name, consisting of a single hyphen and a single character.

- Long option name, consisting of two hyphens and one or more characters.

#### Short Names¶ ↑

##### Simple Short Names¶ ↑

`File` `short_simple.rb` defines two options:

- One with short name `-x`.

- The other with two short names, in effect, aliases, `-1` and `-%`.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-x', 'One short name') do |value|
      p ['-x', value]
    end
    parser.on('-1', '-%', 'Two short names (aliases)') do |value|
      p ['-1 or -%', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby short_simple.rb --help
    Usage: short_simple [options]
        -x                               One short name
        -1, -%                           Two short names (aliases)
    $ ruby short_simple.rb -x
    ["-x", true]
    $ ruby short_simple.rb -1 -x -%
    ["-1 or -%", true]
    ["-x", true]
    ["-1 or -%", true]

##### Short Names with Required Arguments¶ ↑

A short name followed (no whitespace) by a dummy word defines an option that requires an argument.

`File` `short_required.rb` defines an option `-x` that requires an argument.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-xXXX', 'Short name with required argument') do |value|
      p ['-x', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby short_required.rb --help
    Usage: short_required [options]
        -xXXX                            Short name with required argument
    $ ruby short_required.rb -x
    short_required.rb:6:in `<main>': missing argument: -x (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby short_required.rb -x FOO
    ["-x", "FOO"]

##### Short Names with Optional Arguments¶ ↑

A short name followed (with whitespace) by a dummy word in square brackets defines an option that allows an optional argument.

`File` `short_optional.rb` defines an option `-x` that allows an optional argument.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-x [XXX]', 'Short name with optional argument') do |value|
      p ['-x', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby short_optional.rb --help
    Usage: short_optional [options]
        -x [XXX]                         Short name with optional argument
    $ ruby short_optional.rb -x
    ["-x", nil]
    $ ruby short_optional.rb -x FOO
    ["-x", "FOO"]

##### Short Names from `Range`¶ ↑

You can define an option with multiple short names taken from a range of characters. The parser yields both the actual character cited and the value.

`File` `short_range.rb` defines an option with short names for all printable characters from `!` to `~`:

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-[!-~]', 'Short names in (very large) range') do |name, value|
      p ['!-~', name, value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby short_range.rb --help
    Usage: short_range [options]
        -[!-~]                           Short names in (very large) range
    $ ruby short_range.rb -!
    ["!-~", "!", nil]
    $ ruby short_range.rb -!
    ["!-~", "!", nil]
    $ ruby short_range.rb -A
    ["!-~", "A", nil]
    $ ruby short_range.rb -z
    ["!-~", "z", nil]

#### Long Names¶ ↑

##### Simple Long Names¶ ↑

`File` `long_simple.rb` defines two options:

- One with long name `-xxx`.

- The other with two long names, in effect, aliases, `--y1%` and `--z2#`.

  require ‘optparse’ parser = `OptionParser.new` parser.on(‘–xxx’, ‘One long name’) do |value|

      p ['--xxx', value]

  end parser.on(‘–y1%’, ‘–z2#’, ‘Two long names (aliases)’) do |value|

      p ['--y1% or --z2#', value]

  end parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby long_simple.rb --help
    Usage: long_simple [options]
            --xxx                        One long name
            --y1%, --z2#                 Two long names (aliases)
    $ ruby long_simple.rb --xxx
    ["--xxx", true]
    $ ruby long_simple.rb --y1% --xxx --z2#
    ["--y1% or --z2#", true]
    ["--xxx", true]
    ["--y1% or --z2#", true]

##### Long Names with Required Arguments¶ ↑

A long name followed (with whitespace) by a dummy word defines an option that requires an argument.

`File` `long_required.rb` defines an option `--xxx` that requires an argument.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('--xxx XXX', 'Long name with required argument') do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby long_required.rb --help
    Usage: long_required [options]
            --xxx XXX                    Long name with required argument
    $ ruby long_required.rb --xxx
    long_required.rb:6:in `<main>': missing argument: --xxx (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby long_required.rb --xxx FOO
    ["--xxx", "FOO"]

##### Long Names with Optional Arguments¶ ↑

A long name followed (with whitespace) by a dummy word in square brackets defines an option that allows an optional argument.

`File` `long_optional.rb` defines an option `--xxx` that allows an optional argument.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('--xxx [XXX]', 'Long name with optional argument') do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby long_optional.rb --help
    Usage: long_optional [options]
            --xxx [XXX]                  Long name with optional argument
    $ ruby long_optional.rb --xxx
    ["--xxx", nil]
    $ ruby long_optional.rb --xxx FOO
    ["--xxx", "FOO"]

##### Long Names with Negation¶ ↑

A long name may be defined with both positive and negative senses.

`File` `long_with_negation.rb` defines an option that has both senses.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('--[no-]binary', 'Long name with negation') do |value|
      p [value, value.class]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby long_with_negation.rb --help
    Usage: long_with_negation [options]
            --[no-]binary                Long name with negation
    $ ruby long_with_negation.rb --binary
    [true, TrueClass]
    $ ruby long_with_negation.rb --no-binary
    [false, FalseClass]

#### Mixed Names¶ ↑

An option may have both short and long names.

`File` `mixed_names.rb` defines a mixture of short and long names.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-x', '--xxx', 'Short and long, no argument') do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.on('-yYYY', '--yyy', 'Short and long, required argument') do |value|
      p ['--yyy', value]
    end
    parser.on('-z [ZZZ]', '--zzz', 'Short and long, optional argument') do |value|
      p ['--zzz', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby mixed_names.rb --help

Usage: mixed_names [options]

      -x, --xxx                        Short and long, no argument
      -y, --yyyYYY                     Short and long, required argument
      -z, --zzz [ZZZ]                  Short and long, optional argument
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb -x
    ["--xxx", true]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb --xxx
    ["--xxx", true]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb -y
    mixed_names.rb:12:in `<main>': missing argument: -y (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb -y FOO
    ["--yyy", "FOO"]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb --yyy
    mixed_names.rb:12:in `<main>': missing argument: --yyy (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb --yyy BAR
    ["--yyy", "BAR"]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb -z
    ["--zzz", nil]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb -z BAZ
    ["--zzz", "BAZ"]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb --zzz
    ["--zzz", nil]
    $ ruby mixed_names.rb --zzz BAT
    ["--zzz", "BAT"]

### Argument Keywords¶ ↑

As seen above, a given option name string may itself indicate whether the option has no argument, a required argument, or an optional argument.

An alternative is to use a separate symbol keyword, which is one of `:NONE` (the default), `:REQUIRED`, `:OPTIONAL`.

`File` `argument_keywords.rb` defines an option with a required argument.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-x', '--xxx', :REQUIRED, 'Required argument') do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby argument_keywords.rb --help
    Usage: argument_keywords [options]
        -x, --xxx                        Required argument
    $ ruby argument_styles.rb --xxx
    argument_styles.rb:6:in `<main>': missing argument: --xxx (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby argument_styles.rb --xxx FOO
    ["--xxx", "FOO"]

### Argument Strings¶ ↑

Still another way to specify a required argument is to define it in a string separate from the name string.

`File` `argument_strings.rb` defines an option with a required argument.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-x', '--xxx', '=XXX', 'Required argument') do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby argument_strings.rb --help
    Usage: argument_strings [options]
        -x, --xxx=XXX                    Required argument
    $ ruby argument_strings.rb --xxx
    argument_strings.rb:9:in `<main>': missing argument: --xxx (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby argument_strings.rb --xxx FOO
    ["--xxx", "FOO"]

### Argument Values¶ ↑

Permissible argument values may be restricted either by specifying explicit values or by providing a pattern that the given value must match.

#### Explicit Argument Values¶ ↑

You can specify argument values in either of two ways:

- Specify values an array of strings.

- Specify values a hash.

##### Explicit Values in `Array`¶ ↑

You can specify explicit argument values in an array of strings. The argument value must be one of those strings, or an unambiguous abbreviation.

`File` `explicit_array_values.rb` defines options with explicit argument values.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-xXXX', ['foo', 'bar'], 'Values for required argument' ) do |value|
      p ['-x', value]
    end
    parser.on('-y [YYY]', ['baz', 'bat'], 'Values for optional argument') do |value|
      p ['-y', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb --help
    Usage: explicit_array_values [options]
        -xXXX                            Values for required argument
        -y [YYY]                         Values for optional argument
    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb -x
    explicit_array_values.rb:9:in `<main>': missing argument: -x (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb -x foo
    ["-x", "foo"]
    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb -x f
    ["-x", "foo"]
    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb -x bar
    ["-x", "bar"]
    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb -y ba
    explicit_array_values.rb:9:in `<main>': ambiguous argument: -y ba (OptionParser::AmbiguousArgument)
    $ ruby explicit_array_values.rb -x baz
    explicit_array_values.rb:9:in `<main>': invalid argument: -x baz (OptionParser::InvalidArgument)

##### Explicit Values in `Hash`¶ ↑

You can specify explicit argument values in a hash with string keys. The value passed must be one of those keys, or an unambiguous abbreviation; the value yielded will be the value for that key.

`File` `explicit_hash_values.rb` defines options with explicit argument values.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('-xXXX', {foo: 0, bar: 1}, 'Values for required argument' ) do |value|
      p ['-x', value]
    end
    parser.on('-y [YYY]', {baz: 2, bat: 3}, 'Values for optional argument') do |value|
      p ['-y', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb --help
    Usage: explicit_hash_values [options]
        -xXXX                            Values for required argument
        -y [YYY]                         Values for optional argument
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -x
    explicit_hash_values.rb:9:in `<main>': missing argument: -x (OptionParser::MissingArgument)
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -x foo
    ["-x", 0]
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -x f
    ["-x", 0]
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -x bar
    ["-x", 1]
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -x baz
    explicit_hash_values.rb:9:in `<main>': invalid argument: -x baz (OptionParser::InvalidArgument)
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -y
    ["-y", nil]
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -y baz
    ["-y", 2]
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -y bat
    ["-y", 3]
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -y ba
    explicit_hash_values.rb:9:in `<main>': ambiguous argument: -y ba (OptionParser::AmbiguousArgument)
    $ ruby explicit_hash_values.rb -y bam
    ["-y", nil]

#### Argument Value Patterns¶ ↑

You can restrict permissible argument values by specifying a `Regexp` that the given argument must match.

`File` `matched_values.rb` defines options with matched argument values.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('--xxx XXX', /foo/i, 'Matched values') do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby matched_values.rb --help
    Usage: matched_values [options]
            --xxx XXX                    Matched values
    $ ruby matched_values.rb --xxx foo
    ["--xxx", "foo"]
    $ ruby matched_values.rb --xxx FOO
    ["--xxx", "FOO"]
    $ ruby matched_values.rb --xxx bar
    matched_values.rb:6:in `<main>': invalid argument: --xxx bar (OptionParser::InvalidArgument)

### Argument Converters¶ ↑

An option can specify that its argument is to be converted from the default String to an instance of another class.

There are a number of built-in converters. You can also define custom converters.

See Argument Converters.

### Descriptions¶ ↑

A description parameter is any string parameter that is not recognized as an option name or a terminator; in other words, it does not begin with a hyphen.

You may give any number of description parameters; each becomes a line in the text generated by option `--help`.

`File` `descriptions.rb` has six strings in its array `descriptions`. These are all passed as parameters to `OptionParser#on`, so that they all, line for line, become the option’s description.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    description = <<-EOT
    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer
    adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget.
    Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus
    et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur
    ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies
    nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem.
    EOT
    descriptions = description.split($/)
    parser.on('--xxx', *descriptions) do |value|
      p ['--xxx', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby descriptions.rb --help
    Usage: descriptions [options]
            --xxx                        Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer
                                         adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget.
                                         Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus
                                         et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur
                                         ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies
                                         nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem.
    $ ruby descriptions.rb --xxx
    ["--xxx", true]

### Option Handlers¶ ↑

The handler for an option is an executable that will be called when the option is encountered. The handler may be:

- A block (this is most often seen).

- A proc.

- A method.

#### Handler Blocks¶ ↑

An option handler may be a block.

`File` `block.rb` defines an option that has a handler block.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on('--xxx', 'Option with no argument') do |value|
      p ['Handler block for -xxx called with value:', value]
    end
    parser.on('--yyy YYY', 'Option with required argument') do |value|
      p ['Handler block for -yyy called with value:', value]
    end
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby block.rb --help
    Usage: block [options]
            --xxx                        Option with no argument
            --yyy YYY                    Option with required argument
    $ ruby block.rb --xxx
    ["Handler block for -xxx called with value:", true]
    $ ruby block.rb --yyy FOO
    ["Handler block for -yyy called with value:", "FOO"]

#### Handler Procs¶ ↑

An option handler may be a `Proc`.

`File` `proc.rb` defines an option that has a handler proc.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    parser.on(
      '--xxx',
      'Option with no argument',
      ->(value) {p ['Handler proc for -xxx called with value:', value]}
    )
    parser.on(
      '--yyy YYY',
      'Option with required argument',
      ->(value) {p ['Handler proc for -yyy called with value:', value]}
    )
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby proc.rb --help
    Usage: proc [options]
            --xxx                        Option with no argument
            --yyy YYY                    Option with required argument
    $ ruby proc.rb --xxx
    ["Handler proc for -xxx called with value:", true]
    $ ruby proc.rb --yyy FOO
    ["Handler proc for -yyy called with value:", "FOO"]

#### Handler Methods¶ ↑

An option handler may be a `Method`.

`File` `proc.rb` defines an option that has a handler method.

    require 'optparse'
    parser = OptionParser.new
    def xxx_handler(value)
      p ['Handler method for -xxx called with value:', value]
    end
    parser.on('--xxx', 'Option with no argument', method(:xxx_handler))
    def yyy_handler(value)
      p ['Handler method for -yyy called with value:', value]
    end
    parser.on('--yyy YYY', 'Option with required argument', method(:yyy_handler))
    parser.parse!

Executions:

    $ ruby method.rb --help
    Usage: method [options]
            --xxx                        Option with no argument
            --yyy YYY                    Option with required argument
    $ ruby method.rb --xxx
    ["Handler method for -xxx called with value:", true]
    $ ruby method.rb --yyy FOO
    ["Handler method for -yyy called with value:", "FOO"]