Ruby is known as a language of flexibility for several reasons:
Dynamic Typing: Ruby is a dynamically typed language, which means that variable types are checked at runtime rather than at compile-time. This allows developers to write more fluid code without specifying data types, and variables can change types dynamically throughout the execution of the program[6].
Metaprogramming: Ruby's metaprogramming capabilities are a significant aspect of its flexibility. Metaprogramming allows developers to write code that can generate and modify code dynamically. This means that Ruby programs can alter their behavior at runtime, making it possible to create highly adaptable and self-modifying programs[4].
Open Classes and Mixins: Ruby allows developers to reopen existing classes and modify them – even standard library classes. This means that you can add new methods to or alter existing methods of any class, including core classes like String or Array. Additionally, Ruby's use of mixins through modules allows for the sharing of methods across multiple classes without traditional inheritance, providing a flexible alternative to multiple inheritances[6].
Duck Typing: Ruby employs duck typing, which is a concept that focuses on the methods an object responds to, rather than the class of the object itself. If an object quacks like a duck (responds to duck-like methods), Ruby treats it as a duck. This allows for more generic programming and increases the flexibility of code reuse[6].
Blocks, Procs, and Lambdas: Ruby's support for blocks, procs, and lambdas enables developers to pass around chunks of code as objects. This can be used to implement callbacks, iterators, and other functional programming constructs, providing a flexible way to handle code execution[1].
