keyword arguments is coming with ruby 2.0 . No need to merge stuff!

keyword_args_example.rb

# In ruby < 2.0 we should implement this on our own.

def something_useful(opts = {})
  opts = opts.merge({ overridden_opt: :something, another_overridden_opt: :something_else })
  
  do_something_useful_with(opts[:overridden_opt]) if suitable?(opts[:another_overridden_opt])
end


# In new ruby 2.0 we can implement this behavior easily thanks to keyword_arguments.
def something_useful_and_makes_sense(opt: :something, another_opt: :something_else)
  do_some_thing_useful_with(opt) if suitable?(another_opt)
end