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C# Nullable Types

Nullable Types in C#

C# nullable types use ? for safe null handling.

Understanding Nullable Types in C#

In C#, value types (such as int, double, and bool) cannot be assigned null by default, unlike reference types. To allow a value type to hold a null value, you can define it as a nullable type using the ? symbol.

Checking for Null Values

When working with nullable types, it's important to check whether they have a value or are null. You can use the HasValue property or the GetValueOrDefault() method.

Null Coalescing Operator

C# provides the null coalescing operator ?? to simplify null checks and provide a default value when a nullable type is null.

Nullable Types with Reference Types

Although reference types can naturally be null, C# 8.0 introduced nullable reference types to help developers catch potential null reference exceptions at compile time by using annotations.

Conclusion

Understanding and using nullable types effectively can help you write safer and more reliable C# code, especially when dealing with databases and APIs where null values are common. This feature allows you to handle null values gracefully and avoid runtime errors.

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