gistfile1.rb

value = "Don T Alias"
first_name, last_name = value.reverse.split(' ', 2).reverse.collect(&:reverse)
first_name = first_name.to_s
last_name  = last_name.to_s

# Refactored to take into account Xavier's pathological aversion to case statements:
    words = value.split(' ')
    first_name, last_name = if words.size == 0
      ['', '']
    elsif words.size == 1
      [words.first, '']
    else
      [words[0..-2].join(' '), words.last]
    end

---

    it 'splits the value and assigns it to first name and last name' do
      object.name = "Don Alias"
      object.first_name.should == "Don"
      object.last_name.should == 'Alias'
    end

    it 'splits the value and assigns every thing except the last word to first name, and last word to last name' do
      object.name = "Don T Alias"
      object.first_name.should == "Don T"
      object.last_name.should == 'Alias'
    end

    it 'when only one name is provided it blanks out last name' do
      object.name = "Don"
      object.first_name.should == "Don"
      object.last_name.should == ''
    end

    it 'when a blank string is provided it blanks both first and last name' do
      object.name = ""
      object.first_name.should == ""
      object.last_name.should == ''
    end