Mini Project

Let's put variables, input, arrays, hashes, methods, and loops together to build a small command-line Task Tracker. It's a tiny project, but it's a real taste of the logic behind actual apps.

ruby

tasks = []

def show_menu
  puts "
Task Tracker"
  puts "1. Add task"
  puts "2. Show tasks"
  puts "3. Exit"
  print "Choose: "
end

loop do
  show_menu
  choice = gets.chomp

  case choice
  when "1"
    print "Task title: "
    title = gets.chomp
    tasks << { title: title, done: false }
    puts "Task added."
  when "2"
    if tasks.empty?
      puts "No tasks yet."
    else
      tasks.each_with_index do |task, index|
        status = task[:done] ? "Done" : "Pending"
        puts "#{index + 1}. [#{status}] #{task[:title]}"
      end
    end
  when "3"
    puts "Goodbye!"
    break
  else
    puts "Please choose 1, 2, or 3."
  end
end

This project stores each item as a hash inside the tasks array. The menu is split out into its own method, and loop do keeps the program running. Whatever the user picks gets checked with case, which handles adding a task, showing the task list, and exiting.

You should see

Task Tracker 1. Add task 2. Show tasks 3. Exit Choose: 1 Task title: Learn Ruby Task added.

Info

Combining arrays and hashes like this is great practice for understanding real app data structures.

Summary

Want to take it further? Try adding an option to mark a task done, a delete option, or a file save/load feature.