Michael Wang thinks this is interesting: Instance variables always begin with an @ sign, and are nil when undefined. From Chapter 4. Rails-Flavored Ruby from Ruby on Rails Tutorial: Learn Web Development with Rails, Third Edition by Michael Hartl Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional Released: April 2015 Note ruby #instance_variable Share this highlight http://www.safaribooksonline.com/a/ruby-on-rails/910739/ Twitter Facebook Google Plus Email Get Instant Access Now Start a Free Trial Have an account? Sign in. Minimise Unlock the rest of this book and 30,000 other books and videos By clicking this box, you confirm that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions of our Membership Agreement, and you understand that when your trial period ends, you will be required to provide billing information if you wish to continue using the service. Unlock the rest of this book Start a Free 10-Day Trial loading Learn about Safari for Business Have an account? Sign in.