Ruby: Source Code Encoding

Ruby Default Source Code Encoding

Ruby's default source code encoding is UTF-8.

you should set your text editor to save ruby file in UTF-8.

p "abc♥".encoding.name
# "UTF-8"

Declare a Encoding for Ruby Source Code

Ruby allows you to use different encoding for reading ruby source code file.

put this line as the first line of the file:

# -*- coding: utf-16 -*-

This makes Unicode: UTF-16 Encoding as the source code's encoding.

This convention came from emacs. 〔see Emacs: Declare File Encoding〕

🛑 WARNING: by declaring a encoding, it also makes strings in the code in that encoding.