gistfile1.rb

# When `person` is initialized, even if it's only set to nil, then the
# value is shared both inside and outside the block:

  person = nil 
  Neo4j::Transaction.run do |tx|
    person = Person.new(params)
    puts "Inside block, person: #{person}"
  end
  puts "Outside block, person: #{person}"

# output:
# Inside block, person: #<Sherman::Core::Person:0x30fffd2c>
# Outside block, person: #<Sherman::Core::Person:0x30fffd2c>

# But when `person` is not initialized until we get to inside the block,
# then `person` is unavailable outside the block:

  #person = nil # person not initialized
  Neo4j::Transaction.run do |tx|
    person = Person.new(params)
    puts "Inside block, person: #{person}"
  end
  puts "Outside block, person: #{person}"

# output:
# Inside block, person: #<Sherman::Core::Person:0x1d8f6445>
# (exception occurs)