Always initialize variables that might be nil to appropriate default values to prevent unexpected behavior. For boolean flags, explicitly initialize to false in constructors or initialization methods:
def initialize
@unsubscribed = false # Clear and explicit boolean state
end
For collections, initialize to empty arrays or hashes rather than nil. When setting defaults, use ||= or Hash#reverse_merge! to assign values only when current value is nil:
@options[:autocomplete] ||= "off" # Only assigns if nil
# or
@options.reverse_merge!(autocomplete: "off")
When implementing predicate methods, use explicit == true comparison to ensure they return true or false, never nil:
def define_predicate_method(name)
define_method("#{name}?") { public_send(name) == true }
end
For complex types like JSON, provide sensible defaults:
# When handling JSON type
when :json then {} # Or use a more descriptive example structure
This proactive approach prevents nil-related errors and ensures consistent behavior throughout your application lifecycle.
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