CODEWITHSUNDEEP
groovy
Ray
Ray

Reputation: 6115

How to use a variable for the key part of a map

Let's say I have

def A = "abc"
def X = "xyz"

how do I create a Map where, instead of 

def map = [A:1, X:2]

I get instead the equivalent of writing

def map = [abc:1, xyz:2]

but can use a variables A and X for the key?

P.S.: Same question for the value part of the map.

Upvotes: 140

Views: 68865

Answers (2)

Dónal
Dónal

Reputation: 187379

Further to Joachim's answer, if you want to add entries to an existing map and the keys are variables, use:

def map = [:]
def A = 'abc'
map[A] = 2

If you use:

map.A = 2

It is assumed that you want to use the literal string 'A' as the key (even though there is a variable named A in scope.

Update

As @tim_yates pointed out in a comment, a key variable will also be resolved if you use:

map."$A" = 2

though personally I prefer to use the [A] syntax because refactoring tools might miss the "$A" reference if the variable is renamed

Upvotes: 28

Joachim Sauer
Joachim Sauer

Reputation: 308239

Use this:

def map = [(A):1, (X):2]

For the value-part it's even easier, since there is no automagic "convert text to string" happening:

def map = [keyA:A, keyX:X]

Upvotes: 225

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