Rails 3.1: Ruby idiom to prevent .each from throwing exception if nil? -
solved: commentors noted, empty phonelist nil when should have been []. is there way use .each not throw error if object nil or empty (without adding additional nil/blank test? it seems if phonelist.each |phone| if phonelist empty, block should not executed. but in view (haml) have - @myvar.phonelist.each |phone| , if phonelist empty, throws nomethoderror. i run lot, , workaround adding explicit check/branch .blank? seems there should easier way tell .each empty means nothing. you're attempting smack band-aid on larger problem. ruby has concept of nil; can't around it. if calling method on nil , assuming valid, i.e., design assumes valid. question is: hole in design? why assumption incorrect? the problem here not cannot call arbitrary methods on object not support it; problem data assumed valid when not case. but in view (haml) have - @myvar.phonelist.each |phone| , if phonelist empty, throws nomethoderror. no. if phonelist is not obje