gistfile2.rb

def products
  @products ||= {     827 => {'product' => "ARM",         'price' => 349.99}, 
                      199 => {'product' => "LEG",         'price' => 224.75}, 
                      776 => {'product' => "FIRSTBORN",   'price' => 1499.95}, 
                      222 => {'product' => "LIFESAVINGS", 'price' => 49.99}, 
                      811 => {'product' => "RETIREMENT",  'price' => 49.99}
                 }
end

Hash.rb

def print_out(string)
  STDOUT << string
end

def products
  @products ||= {     827 => {'name' => "ARM",         'price' => 349.99}, 
                      199 => {'name' => "LEG",         'price' => 224.75}, 
                      776 => {'name' => "FIRSTBORN",   'price' => 1499.95}, 
                      222 => {'name' => "LIFESAVINGS", 'price' => 49.99}, 
                      811 => {'name' => "RETIREMENT",  'price' => 49.99}
                 }
end

puts
print_out  "1. Add a product
2. Update a product
3. Delete a product
4. View all products
5. View names that start with a letter you choose
6. View highest-priced product and lowest-priced product
7. View sum of all product prices
8. Quit
Choose an option:  "
choice = gets.to_i

def generate_key
  key = rand(998) + 1
  while products.has_key?(key)
    key = rand(998) + 1
  end
  key
end

def add_product
  print_out "Enter a product name:  "
  # $stdout.flush
	name = gets.chomp.upcase
	print_out "Enter the product price using a decimal (as in 44.99), with no dollar sign:  "
	price = gets.chomp.to_f
	key = generate_key
	products[key] = {'name' => "#{name}", 'price' => price}
	puts "You have entered a new product called #{name} with an assigned key of #{key}."
	puts products.inspect.upcase
end


case choice
when 1
  add_product
end