Rails: before_save variable contents

Question

I'm reading a guide about Rails and I came across this line in a Model class:

before_save { |user| user.email = email.downcase }

This is to make sure that the email address is lowercase before it hits the database (but you already know that, because you guys and gals are smart!).

However, why not just have this:

before_save { |user| user.email.downcase! }

Wouldn't that be simpler to execute, or am I missing something?

Answer 1

Both do the same.. it just comes down to taste.