attempts.rb

# Inspired by/stolen from: http://refactormycode.com/codes/1065-retry

require 'logger'

module Kernel
  def logger
   @logger = Logger.new(STDOUT)
  end
end

class MyRuntimeError   < RuntimeError; end
class YourRuntimeError < RuntimeError; end

class Integer
  def attempts(options={}, &block)
    return if self < 1
    yield attempt_counter ||= 1
  rescue *options[:ignoring] || Exception
    logger.error("** Error while making attempt #{attempt_counter} of #{self}: #{$!.inspect}") if options[:log]
    retry if (attempt_counter += 1) <= self
  end
end

first = 3.attempts(:ignoring => [ MyRuntimeError ], :log => true) do |attempt|
  if attempt < 3
    raise MyRuntimeError, "This is my error and will be ignored."
  else
    :ok
  end
end
first # => :ok

second = 3.attempts(:ignoring => [ MyRuntimeError ], :log => true) do |attempt|
  raise MyRuntimeError, "This is my error and will be ignored."
end || :not_ok
second # => :not_ok

third = 3.attempts(:ignoring => [ MyRuntimeError ], :log => true) do |attempt|
  if attempt < 3
    raise YourRuntimeError, "This is your error and will not be ignored."
  end
end
third # => 

# ~> -:38:in `block in <main>': This is your error and will not be ignored. (YourRuntimeError)
# ~> 	from -:15:in `attempts'
# ~> 	from -:36:in `<main>'
# >> E, [2010-02-25T18:51:04.924612 #52779] ERROR -- : ** Error while making attempt 1 of 3: #<MyRuntimeError: This is my error and will be ignored.>
# >> E, [2010-02-25T18:51:04.925050 #52779] ERROR -- : ** Error while making attempt 2 of 3: #<MyRuntimeError: This is my error and will be ignored.>
# >> E, [2010-02-25T18:51:04.925246 #52779] ERROR -- : ** Error while making attempt 1 of 3: #<MyRuntimeError: This is my error and will be ignored.>
# >> E, [2010-02-25T18:51:04.925287 #52779] ERROR -- : ** Error while making attempt 2 of 3: #<MyRuntimeError: This is my error and will be ignored.>
# >> E, [2010-02-25T18:51:04.925324 #52779] ERROR -- : ** Error while making attempt 3 of 3: #<MyRuntimeError: This is my error and will be ignored.>