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 object implements .each throws error. different.

you can initialize empty array if null, i.e., phonelist ||= [], prefer design ensures valid data whenever possible.