How do I set attributes in an ActiveRecord Object only if it is nil?

Question

Sorry, I think I am a bit stupid today

class Mutant < ActiveRecord::Base
  attr_accessible :style

  before_create :setup_values


  private

  def setup_values 
    style = "hardcore" unless style
  end
end

I like to call this stuff in the console like

Mutant.create(:style => "rampage") # expected is Mutant.first.style == "rampage"
Mutant.create # expected is Mutant.last.style == "hardcore but this doesn't work

Answer 1

just found it in the api

def setup_values 
  write_attribute :style, "hardcore" if style.blank?  
end

tadaa and it works :)