Ruby: Return if method returns a non-nil value

Question

Is there a better/cleaner way to do this in Ruby?

def my_method(x, y)
  return error if (error = validate(x, y))
  # do something else
end

I call #validate elsewhere, so to keep things DRY, I have it return the error message.

Answer 1

What is wrong with this more explicit and more readable version?

def my_method(x, y)
  error = validate(x, y)

  if error
    error
  else
    # do something else
  end
end

IMO there is no benefit in writing the shortest possible code. You should always aim to write the most readable and understandable code.