rails if object.nil? then magic '' in views?

Question

This is one of those things, that maybe so simple I\'ll never find it because everyone else already knows it.

I\'ve got objects I have to check for nil in my views s

Answer 1

I've always preferred this approach:

model:

class TaxPayment < ActiveRecord::Base
  belongs_to :user
  delegate :name, :to=>:user, :prefix=>true, :allow_nil=>true
end

view:

<%= tax_payment.user_name %>

http://apidock.com/rails/Module/delegate

Answer 2

You can also try the new Object.try syntax, pardon the pun.

This is in the shiny new Rails 2.3:

tax_payment.try(:user).try(:name)