?? (null-coalescing) Operator In C#

?? is known as a null-coalescing operator. If the operand is not null, then it returns a left hand operand otherwise it returns a right hand operand.

Introduction

In this blog, I am going to discuss ?? operator in C#.

 

?? Operator 

?? is known as a null-coalescing operator. If the operand is not null, then it returns a left hand operand else it returns a right hand operand.

For example,

Employee emp1 = null;
Employee emp2 = emp1 ?? (emp1 = new Employee());

?? is a specific type of ternary operator. If we have to write the above code using ternary operator, then the following code needs to be written.

Employee emp1 = null;
Employee emp2 = (emp1 != null) ? emp1 : new Employee ();

Conclusion

If we have to check an object's null reference in ternary operator, then it can be achieved using ?? operator with minimal code.