UnexplainedWays
asked on
Shorthand C#
I've seen this really funky shorthand code in a blog post that i now can't remember. It's been bugging me for a while now so i thought i'd ask.
Currently i have this: string answer = (obj =! null)? obj: " ";
It's something similar to string answer = (obj : " ");
I know i could write a method to handle this but i'm looking for the inbuilt way.
Any ideas? Thanks Also, if you know of any other cool little short hand tricks feel free to post =)
Currently i have this: string answer = (obj =! null)? obj: " ";
It's something similar to string answer = (obj : " ");
I know i could write a method to handle this but i'm looking for the inbuilt way.
Any ideas? Thanks Also, if you know of any other cool little short hand tricks feel free to post =)
ASKER
Yeah sorry it should lol, that's what happens when you quickly write up code in the box down the end of the page.
obj will be the same type as answer.
obj will be the same type as answer.
so, my first post answers your question?
ASKER
You fixed up the line that i used as an example of what i'm after, however i'm still looking for the shorter syntax.
what i'm after is something similar to this: string answer = (obj : " ");
what i'm after is something similar to this: string answer = (obj : " ");
no, there isn't shorter syntax than the ternary operator, assuming that 'obj' is string:
string answer = (obj != null) ? obj : " ";
In C++ could be shorter, because null can be evaluate as a bool, something like:
string answer = obj ? obj : " ";
But this is not possible with C#.
string answer = (obj != null) ? obj : " ";
In C++ could be shorter, because null can be evaluate as a bool, something like:
string answer = obj ? obj : " ";
But this is not possible with C#.
ASKER
I've seen it before, it was in a blog and it was mentioned because no many people knew about it.
I know i wasn't dreaming.........
I know i wasn't dreaming.........
maybe some compiler's unexpected behaviour, not a correct use at all...
ASKER
I'm just anoyed i didn't save it. I showed it to people @ work and no one else knew about it.
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ASKER
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just tested it out and it works.
string a = null;
string b = "something";
string c = (a ?? b);
Here's more about it if someone reads this page later: http://blog.benhall.me.uk/2007/10/c-null-coalescing-operator-and.html
I knew it was something close answer = (obj : " "); >>>>>> answer = (obj ?? " ");
I just tested it out and it works.
string a = null;
string b = "something";
string c = (a ?? b);
Here's more about it if someone reads this page later: http://blog.benhall.me.uk/2007/10/c-null-coalescing-operator-and.html
I knew it was something close answer = (obj : " "); >>>>>> answer = (obj ?? " ");
You're right, it does work on strings.
Ya learn something every day.
Ya learn something every day.
If you are reverring to c# shorthand then there are a couple of things i know...
1. if ? else : then
eg, bool AIsMoreThanTen = (a > 10) ? true : false
the value before the question mark must equate to a bool, the value on the left of the colon is the 'then' and the right of the colon is the else and either the then or the else value is returned, the return values do not have to be a bool, only the value to the left of the question mark needs to be a bool
2.
public string TestItem
{
get
{
return Session["TestItem"] as string ?? "Test Item"
}
The ?? operator checks if the value on the left is null, if it is, it returns the value on the right
1. if ? else : then
eg, bool AIsMoreThanTen = (a > 10) ? true : false
the value before the question mark must equate to a bool, the value on the left of the colon is the 'then' and the right of the colon is the else and either the then or the else value is returned, the return values do not have to be a bool, only the value to the left of the question mark needs to be a bool
2.
public string TestItem
{
get
{
return Session["TestItem"] as string ?? "Test Item"
}
The ?? operator checks if the value on the left is null, if it is, it returns the value on the right
string answer = (obj =! null)? obj: " ";
it can't be =!, should be !=:
string answer = (obj != null)? obj: " ";
also, if obj is not string type, will produce a compiler error, but can be solved as:
string answer = (obj != null) ? obj.ToString() : " ";