Ruby Academy · Lesson

Guard Clauses

Clean early returns.

Clean Early Returns

A guard clause is a check at the top of a method that returns early for invalid or edge cases. It keeps the main logic flat and easy to read.

def greet(name)
  return "Hello, stranger" if name.nil?
  "Hello, #{name}"
end
puts greet(nil)
puts greet("Ada")

Without guards, validations pile up as nested if blocks. The real work ends up buried deep on the right edge of the screen.

def charge(user)
  if user
    if user[:active]
      puts "Charging #{user[:name]}"
    end
  end
end
charge({ name: "Sam", active: true })