Chef attribute file problem

gistfile1.rb

default["rda"]["user"] = 'rda'
default['rda']['home_dir'] = "/home/#{node.rda.user}"
raise node.rda.inspect
default['rda']['home_env_dir'] = "#{node.rda.home_dir}/env/dev"

# This throws a runtime error (due to the 'raise' line) with the output: {"user"=>"rda"}
# So it never adds anything after attempting to create the rda.home_dir value
# but Chef does not throw an error itself, it only happens because I have a raise in there.

#----------------

# So I tried to move the 'raise' line down one line:

default["rda"]["user"] = 'rda'
default['rda']['home_dir'] = "/home/#{node.rda.user}"
default['rda']['home_env_dir'] = "#{node.rda.home_dir}/env/dev"
raise node.rda.inspect

# This results in the error: Undefined method or attribute `home_dir' on `node'
# so the execution now never reaches the 'raise' line.

#----------------

# So now I tried hard coding all values instead of depending on previous attributes:

default["rda"]["user"] = 'rda'
default['rda']['home_dir'] = "/home/rda"
default['rda']['home_env_dir'] = "/home/rda/env/dev"
raise node.rda.inspect

# This appears normal. Of course the 'raise' results in an error but the message
# I get is an attribute map that I was expecting:
# {"user"=>"rda", "home_dir"=>"/home/rda", "home_env_dir"=>"/home/rda/env/dev"}

# If I remove the raise line, the execution continues until it encounters the next
# attribute that depends on an attribute that depends on an attribute!