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Mastering Metaprogramming in Rails with define_method

Alessio Bussolari
2 min readDec 4, 2023

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Metaprogramming in Ruby on Rails is a powerful technique that enables developers to write more dynamic, flexible, and DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) code. One of the key methods in the Rails metaprogramming toolkit is define_method. This article explores how to use define_method in Rails, its benefits, and practical examples.

What is `define_method`?

define_method is a private method of the Module class in Ruby, used to define a method dynamically at runtime. This capability is a cornerstone of metaprogramming, allowing for the creation of methods on the fly based on runtime information.

Benefits of Using `define_method` in Rails

  1. Flexibility: Dynamically generate methods tailored to specific needs at runtime.
  2. DRY Code: Avoid repetitive code by generating methods programmatically.
  3. Encapsulation: Encapsulate complex logic within dynamically defined methods, making your codebase cleaner and more maintainable.

Implementing `define_method` in Rails

Suppose you have a model `Report` and want to dynamically create methods to filter reports based on different criteria.

Basic Usage of…

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Alessio Bussolari
Alessio Bussolari

Written by Alessio Bussolari

Ruby on Rails programmer since 2009. Current CTO at COSMIC SRL, where I lead the team in creating innovative solutions.

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