Crystal Sets

Introduction to Crystal Sets

In Crystal, a set is a collection that stores unique elements, ensuring no duplicates. Sets are ideal for cases where you need to keep track of items and their uniqueness matters. The set is implemented using the Set type, which provides efficient operations for adding, removing, and checking elements.

Creating a Set

To create a set in Crystal, you use the Set class. You can initialize a set with or without initial elements:

Adding and Removing Elements

Elements can be added to a set using the #add method and removed using the #delete method. Remember, sets do not allow duplicate elements.

Checking for Elements

You can check if a set contains a specific element using the #includes? method.

Iterating Over a Set

Sets can be iterated using the #each method, which allows you to execute a block of code for each element in the set.

Set Operations

Crystal sets provide several operations for combining and comparing sets, such as union, intersection, and difference. These operations are useful for mathematical set theory applications.

Conclusion

Crystal sets are a powerful tool for managing collections of unique elements, providing a range of methods for manipulation and inquiry. They are optimal for tasks that require uniqueness checks and set algebra operations, making them a versatile choice in your Crystal programming toolkit.