Why hooks enable framework building in Ruby

Introduction

Hooks let you add your own code at special points in a program. This helps build flexible frameworks that others can easily change or extend.

When you want to let users add custom actions without changing the main code.

When building a tool that needs to run extra steps before or after main tasks.

When you want to keep your code clean but allow others to add features.

When you want to create reusable parts that can be adapted for different needs.

Syntax

Ruby

class Framework
  def initialize
    @hooks = {}
  end

  def add_hook(name, &block)
    @hooks[name] ||= []
    @hooks[name] << block
  end

  def run_hook(name)
    return unless @hooks[name]
    @hooks[name].each(&:call)
  end
end

Hooks are usually stored as blocks (small pieces of code) that run later.

You add hooks by giving them a name and a block of code to run.

Examples

This adds a hook named before_save and runs it, printing a message.

Ruby

framework = Framework.new
framework.add_hook(:before_save) { puts "Prepare to save" }
framework.run_hook(:before_save)

Here, a hook runs after saving, showing a confirmation message.

Ruby

framework.add_hook(:after_save) do
  puts "Save complete!"
end
framework.run_hook(:after_save)

Sample Program

This program shows how hooks let you add multiple actions at start and finish points without changing the main work.

Ruby

class Framework
  def initialize
    @hooks = {}
  end

  def add_hook(name, &block)
    @hooks[name] ||= []
    @hooks[name] << block
  end

  def run_hook(name)
    return unless @hooks[name]
    @hooks[name].each(&:call)
  end
end

framework = Framework.new

framework.add_hook(:start) { puts "Starting process..." }
framework.add_hook(:start) { puts "Loading resources" }
framework.add_hook(:finish) { puts "Process finished!" }

framework.run_hook(:start)
puts "Main work happening"
framework.run_hook(:finish)

Important Notes

Hooks help keep code organized by separating core logic from extra features.

You can add many hooks with the same name to run multiple actions.

Hooks make frameworks flexible and easy to customize.

Summary

Hooks let you insert custom code at specific points.

This makes frameworks flexible and easy to extend.

Using hooks keeps your main code clean and reusable.