Begin/rescue/end

gistfile1.rb

# nice
def test_you_dont_get_null_pointer_errors_when_calling_methods_on_nil
    nil.some_method_nil_doesnt_know_about
  rescue ex = Exception.new
    assert_equal NilClass, ex.class
    assert_match(/NoMethodError/, ex.message)
end

# not nice
def test_you_dont_get_null_pointer_errors_when_calling_methods_on_nil   
  begin
    nil.some_method_nil_doesnt_know_about
  rescue Exception => ex
    assert_equal NoMethodError, ex.class
    assert_match(/NilClass/, ex.message)
  end
end

# in the first example, do i need to use end to end the rescue clause, or can i just leave it in there solo.  I find that either way works, and i prefer to not use begin/end.

# also, is there any advantage to using "=>" over "Class.new".  I prefer Class.new, and i believe that => is an older syntax for 1.8 perhaps.