line_sorter.rb

# Collapses odd/even lines into single lines
#
# Example:
# Thing1
# description for thing1
# Thing2
# description for thing2
# 
# Is translated to...
# Thing1 description for thing1
# Thing2 description for thing2

file_contents = File.read(ARGV[0]).split("\n")

line_buffer = ""
file_contents.each_with_index do |line,i|
  if i % 2 == 0
    line_buffer = ""
    line_buffer += line.chomp
    next
  else
    line_buffer += " " + line.chomp
    puts line_buffer
  end
end

Example usage:

$ ruby ~/Desktop/line_sorter.rb ~/Desktop/test.txt
CSC1233 something something
CSC1234 something something else