On 21.11.2007 18:24, Jake Cutter wrote: > On Aug 20, 2007 4:07 AM, Robert Klemme <shortcutter / googlemail.com> wrote: >> x = foo.bar.baz rescue nil > > Interesting thread....glad someone else has hit this need. > > How does the above work, exactly? You're rescuing without a block? > Doesn't it have to be something like: > > begin > x = foo.bar.baz > rescue nil > end > > ? At least the documentation would suggest so... The value of the expression is replaced by the value of the expression after the "rescue" in this form. And no, you don't need a block. The Pickaxe 1st edition does not seem to mention it but it's definitively a legal Ruby feature. Kind regards robert