Question : Parsing String Using Functions and Regular Expressions

Basically I have one string that I need to break out into seperate parts. I'm still not great with ruby functions so just need a little help.

I start with a string that looks like the following:
SEARCH_TERM(S) CITY,STATE

I need to break apart all these into three variables.
1. SEARCH_TERMS(S)
2. CITY
3. STATE

Note there is a space between last search item and the city.

Thanks for any help!

Code Snippet:

         
             search_parts = params[:search].split(',') # splits everything and the state
 
state = search_parts[1] #assigns state from prev. line
 
# need code here to break apart the rest.

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Answer : Parsing String Using Functions and Regular Expressions

If your only delimiter between the search terms and the city is a space, you're going to have issues with any city that has a space in it:

Term1 Term2 Kansas City, KS
... would make "City" the city and "Kansas" an additional search term.

That said, just call split() on it again with a space, which will return an array of words:

search_terms_state = search_parts.first.split(' ')
city = search_terms_state.pop
# pop actually removes the last element and returns it, so only the terms are left

RubyDoc for Array::pop()
http://www.ruby-doc.org/core/classes/Array.html#M002192

Is that what you're looking for? If not, lemme know and we'll get it straightened out.