How can I avoid iterating over a nil array in Ruby?

Question

I want avoid iterating over a nil array.

My bad solution:

if nil!=myArr
    myArr.each { |item|
      p item;
    }
 end

Answer 1

For a simple one-liner, you might also use unless myArr.nil?

myArr.each { |item| p item } unless myArr.nil?

Updating for Ruby >= 2.3.0:

If you are comfortable with a nil return rather than avoiding execution entirely, you can use the Safe navigation operator &.. Note though that this differs slightly. Whereas the unless version will skip execution entirely, the &. will execute but return nil.

myArr&.each { |item| p item }
# returns nil

Answer 2

In ruby, only nil and false are considered as false.

if myArr
    myArr.each { |item|
      p item
    }
end