This cop tries to produce a complexity score that's a measure of the complexity the reader experiences when looking at a method. For that reason it considers when nodes as something that doesn't add as much complexity as an if or a &&. Except if it's one of those special case/when constructs where there's no expression after case. Then the cop treats it as an if/elsif/elsif... and lets all the when nodes count. In contrast to the CyclomaticComplexity cop, this cop considers else nodes as adding complexity.

Example:

def my_method                   # 1
  if cond                       # 1
    case var                    # 2 (0.8 + 4 * 0.2, rounded)
    when 1 then func_one
    when 2 then func_two
    when 3 then func_three
    when 4..10 then func_other
    end
  else                          # 1
    do_something until a && b   # 2
  end                           # ===
end                             # 7 complexity points

This cop checks that the cyclomatic complexity of methods is not higher than the configured maximum. The cyclomatic complexity is the number of linearly independent paths through a method. The algorithm counts decision points and adds one.

An if statement (or unless or ?:) increases the complexity by one. An else branch does not, since it doesn't add a decision point. The && operator (or keyword and) can be converted to a nested if statement, and ||/or is shorthand for a sequence of ifs, so they also add one. Loops can be said to have an exit condition, so they add one.

Cognitive Complexity

Cognitive Complexity is a measure of how difficult a unit of code is to intuitively understand. Unlike Cyclomatic Complexity, which determines how difficult your code will be to test, Cognitive Complexity tells you how difficult your code will be to read and comprehend.

A method's cognitive complexity is based on a few simple rules:

• Code is not considered more complex when it uses shorthand that the language provides for collapsing multiple statements into one
• Code is considered more complex for each "break in the linear flow of the code"
• Code is considered more complex when "flow breaking structures are nested"

Further reading

• Cognitive Complexity docs
• Cognitive Complexity: A new way of measuring understandability

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks whether the end keywords are aligned properly.

Three modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter:

If it's set to keyword (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the keyword (if, class, etc.).

If it's set to variable the end shall be aligned with the left-hand-side of the variable assignment, if there is one.

If it's set to start_of_line, the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the matching keyword appears.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: keyword (default)

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
           end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: variable

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

puts(if true
end)

This cop makes sure that predicates are named properly.

Example:

# bad
def is_even?(value)
end

# good
def even?(value)
end

# bad
def has_value?
end

# good
def value?
end

Use a guard clause instead of wrapping the code inside a conditional expression

Example:

# bad
def test
  if something
    work
  end
end

# good
def test
  return unless something
  work
end

# also good
def test
  work if something
end

# bad
if something
  raise 'exception'
else
  ok
end

# good
raise 'exception' if something
ok

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks for redundant uses of self.

The usage of self is only needed when:

• Sending a message to same object with zero arguments in presence of a method name clash with an argument or a local variable.

• Calling an attribute writer to prevent an local variable assignment.

Note, with using explicit self you can only send messages with public or protected scope, you cannot send private messages this way.

Note we allow uses of self with operators because it would be awkward otherwise.

Example:

# bad
def foo(bar)
  self.baz
end

# good
def foo(bar)
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the argument.
end

def foo
  bar = 1
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the local variable.
end

def foo
  %w[x y z].select do |bar|
    self.bar == bar  # Resolves name clash with argument of the block.
  end
end

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks whether the end keywords are aligned properly.

Three modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter:

If it's set to keyword (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the keyword (if, class, etc.).

If it's set to variable the end shall be aligned with the left-hand-side of the variable assignment, if there is one.

If it's set to start_of_line, the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the matching keyword appears.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: keyword (default)

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
           end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: variable

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

puts(if true
end)

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks for uses of class variables. Offenses are signaled only on assignment to class variables to reduce the number of offenses that would be reported.

This cop checks for trailing code after the method definition.

Example:

# bad
def some_method
do_stuff; end

def do_this(x)
  baz.map { |b| b.this(x) } end

def foo
  block do
    bar
  end end

# good
def some_method
  do_stuff
end

def do_this(x)
  baz.map { |b| b.this(x) }
end

def foo
  block do
    bar
  end
end

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

This cop checks whether the end keywords of method definitions are aligned properly.

Two modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter. If it's set to start_of_line (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the def keyword is. If it's set to def, the end shall be aligned with the def keyword.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline (default)

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: def

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
        end

This cop checks whether the end keywords of method definitions are aligned properly.

Two modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter. If it's set to start_of_line (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the def keyword is. If it's set to def, the end shall be aligned with the def keyword.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline (default)

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: def

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
        end

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks whether the end keywords of method definitions are aligned properly.

Two modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter. If it's set to start_of_line (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the def keyword is. If it's set to def, the end shall be aligned with the def keyword.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline (default)

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: def

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
        end

This cop checks whether the end keywords of method definitions are aligned properly.

Two modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter. If it's set to start_of_line (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the def keyword is. If it's set to def, the end shall be aligned with the def keyword.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline (default)

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: def

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
        end

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

This cop checks for redundant uses of self.

The usage of self is only needed when:

• Sending a message to same object with zero arguments in presence of a method name clash with an argument or a local variable.

• Calling an attribute writer to prevent an local variable assignment.

Note, with using explicit self you can only send messages with public or protected scope, you cannot send private messages this way.

Note we allow uses of self with operators because it would be awkward otherwise.

Example:

# bad
def foo(bar)
  self.baz
end

# good
def foo(bar)
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the argument.
end

def foo
  bar = 1
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the local variable.
end

def foo
  %w[x y z].select do |bar|
    self.bar == bar  # Resolves name clash with argument of the block.
  end
end

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

This cop checks for redundant uses of self.

The usage of self is only needed when:

• Sending a message to same object with zero arguments in presence of a method name clash with an argument or a local variable.

• Calling an attribute writer to prevent an local variable assignment.

Note, with using explicit self you can only send messages with public or protected scope, you cannot send private messages this way.

Note we allow uses of self with operators because it would be awkward otherwise.

Example:

# bad
def foo(bar)
  self.baz
end

# good
def foo(bar)
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the argument.
end

def foo
  bar = 1
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the local variable.
end

def foo
  %w[x y z].select do |bar|
    self.bar == bar  # Resolves name clash with argument of the block.
  end
end

This cop checks for redundant uses of self.

The usage of self is only needed when:

• Sending a message to same object with zero arguments in presence of a method name clash with an argument or a local variable.

• Calling an attribute writer to prevent an local variable assignment.

Note, with using explicit self you can only send messages with public or protected scope, you cannot send private messages this way.

Note we allow uses of self with operators because it would be awkward otherwise.

Example:

# bad
def foo(bar)
  self.baz
end

# good
def foo(bar)
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the argument.
end

def foo
  bar = 1
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the local variable.
end

def foo
  %w[x y z].select do |bar|
    self.bar == bar  # Resolves name clash with argument of the block.
  end
end

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks whether the end keywords of method definitions are aligned properly.

Two modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter. If it's set to start_of_line (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the def keyword is. If it's set to def, the end shall be aligned with the def keyword.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline (default)

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: def

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
        end

This cop checks whether the end keywords are aligned properly.

Three modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter:

If it's set to keyword (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the keyword (if, class, etc.).

If it's set to variable the end shall be aligned with the left-hand-side of the variable assignment, if there is one.

If it's set to start_of_line, the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the matching keyword appears.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: keyword (default)

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
           end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: variable

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

puts(if true
end)

This cop checks whether the end keywords are aligned properly.

Three modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter:

If it's set to keyword (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the keyword (if, class, etc.).

If it's set to variable the end shall be aligned with the left-hand-side of the variable assignment, if there is one.

If it's set to start_of_line, the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the matching keyword appears.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: keyword (default)

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
           end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: variable

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

puts(if true
end)

This cop checks for redundant uses of self.

The usage of self is only needed when:

• Sending a message to same object with zero arguments in presence of a method name clash with an argument or a local variable.

• Calling an attribute writer to prevent an local variable assignment.

Note, with using explicit self you can only send messages with public or protected scope, you cannot send private messages this way.

Note we allow uses of self with operators because it would be awkward otherwise.

Example:

# bad
def foo(bar)
  self.baz
end

# good
def foo(bar)
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the argument.
end

def foo
  bar = 1
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the local variable.
end

def foo
  %w[x y z].select do |bar|
    self.bar == bar  # Resolves name clash with argument of the block.
  end
end

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

This cop checks whether the end keywords of method definitions are aligned properly.

Two modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter. If it's set to start_of_line (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the def keyword is. If it's set to def, the end shall be aligned with the def keyword.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline (default)

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: def

# bad

private def foo
            end

# good

private def foo
        end

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) preceded by space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1 ; y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

This cop checks for missing top-level documentation of classes and modules. Classes with no body are exempt from the check and so are namespace modules - modules that have nothing in their bodies except classes, other modules, or constant definitions.

The documentation requirement is annulled if the class or module has a "#:nodoc:" comment next to it. Likewise, "#:nodoc: all" does the same for all its children.

Example:

# bad
class Person
  # ...
end

# good
# Description/Explanation of Person class
class Person
  # ...
end

This cop checks whether the end keywords are aligned properly.

Three modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter:

If it's set to keyword (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the keyword (if, class, etc.).

If it's set to variable the end shall be aligned with the left-hand-side of the variable assignment, if there is one.

If it's set to start_of_line, the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the matching keyword appears.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: keyword (default)

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
           end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: variable

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

puts(if true
end)

This cop checks for redundant uses of self.

The usage of self is only needed when:

• Sending a message to same object with zero arguments in presence of a method name clash with an argument or a local variable.

• Calling an attribute writer to prevent an local variable assignment.

Note, with using explicit self you can only send messages with public or protected scope, you cannot send private messages this way.

Note we allow uses of self with operators because it would be awkward otherwise.

Example:

# bad
def foo(bar)
  self.baz
end

# good
def foo(bar)
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the argument.
end

def foo
  bar = 1
  self.bar  # Resolves name clash with the local variable.
end

def foo
  %w[x y z].select do |bar|
    self.bar == bar  # Resolves name clash with argument of the block.
  end
end

This cop checks whether the end keywords are aligned properly.

Three modes are supported through the EnforcedStyleAlignWith configuration parameter:

If it's set to keyword (which is the default), the end shall be aligned with the start of the keyword (if, class, etc.).

If it's set to variable the end shall be aligned with the left-hand-side of the variable assignment, if there is one.

If it's set to start_of_line, the end shall be aligned with the start of the line where the matching keyword appears.

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: keyword (default)

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
           end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: variable

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

variable = if true
end

Example: EnforcedStyleAlignWith: startofline

# bad

variable = if true
    end

# good

puts(if true
end)

Use a guard clause instead of wrapping the code inside a conditional expression

Example:

# bad
def test
  if something
    work
  end
end

# good
def test
  return unless something
  work
end

# also good
def test
  work if something
end

# bad
if something
  raise 'exception'
else
  ok
end

# good
raise 'exception' if something
ok

Use symbols as procs when possible.

Example:

# bad
something.map { |s| s.upcase }

# good
something.map(&:upcase)

Checks for spaces inside ordinary round parentheses.

Example:

# bad
f( 3)
g = (a + 3 )

# good
f(3)
g = (a + 3)

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

Checks for semicolon (;) not followed by some kind of space.

Example:

# bad
x = 1;y = 2

# good
x = 1; y = 2

This cop checks for missing top-level documentation of classes and modules. Classes with no body are exempt from the check and so are namespace modules - modules that have nothing in their bodies except classes, other modules, or constant definitions.

The documentation requirement is annulled if the class or module has a "#:nodoc:" comment next to it. Likewise, "#:nodoc: all" does the same for all its children.

Example:

# bad
class Person
  # ...
end

# good
# Description/Explanation of Person class
class Person
  # ...
end