Converting array using procs and symbols
<p>I'm working my way through Ruby's Codecademy course and I'm up to here <a href="https://www.codecademy.com/en/courses/ruby-beginner-en-L3ZCI/1/6?curriculum_id=5059f8619189a5000201fbcb#" rel="nofollow">https://www.codecademy.com/en/courses/ruby-beginner-en-L3ZCI/1/6?curriculum_id=5059f8619189a5000201fbcb#</a> </p>

<p>The correct code (that I don't understand) to convert the array of numbers into an array of strings is posted below.</p>

<pre><code>    numbers_array = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

    strings_array = numbers_array.map(&amp;:to_s)
</code></pre>

<p>I've been looking through the forums and googling and at this point I'm still confused what the heck is going on in this code. </p>

<p>I'm confused by <code>:to_s</code> because <code>to_s</code> means to convert to strings and <code>:</code> stands for symbols. Does <code>:to_s</code> convert stuff into symbols or strings? </p>

<p>I'm confused by <code>&amp;</code> too. I get that the <code>&amp;</code> sign makes the block that follows it into a proc, but here it's the colon for symbol and the method to convert to a string rather than a block that follows the <code>&amp;</code> symbol. </p>

<p>I'd really appreciate any help!</p>