Symbols make stable hash keys for small records of related data.

Symbols and Hashes

symbols_hashes.rb
lookup_key = 
profile = { name: "Ada", role: "developer", score: 42 }
value = profile[lookup_key]

puts "key=#{lookup_key}"
puts "value=#{value}"
lookup_key = 
profile = { name: "Ada", role: "developer", score: 42 }
value = profile[lookup_key]

puts "key=#{lookup_key}"
puts "value=#{value}"
lookup_key = 
profile = { name: "Ada", role: "developer", score: 42 }
value = profile[lookup_key]

puts "key=#{lookup_key}"
puts "value=#{value}"
symbol key A symbol such as `:name` is commonly used as a lightweight key in a Ruby hash.