gistfile1.rb

# alternative Block execution on empty Enumerable  
# see : http://blog.sponagl.de/2009/1/23/alternative-block-execution-on-empty-enumerable

# 1. 

ary = []

ary.each do |i|
  puts i
end.empty? and lambda do
  puts "none"
end.call

# 2. add extenstion to Enumerable

module Enumerable
  def else(&block)
    self.respond_to?('empty?') && self.empty? ? yield : self
  end
end 

# us this extension in rails and erb : 
<% results.each do |x| %>
  <li>hit:<%=x-%></li>
<% end.else do %>
  <li>no hits found</li>
<% end %>


# other suggestions 
ary.each do |i|
  puts i
end.any? or puts 'none'

ary.each do |i| 
  puts i 
end.empty? and ( puts 'none' )