Code inspection: 'if' statement can be rewritten as '??=' assignment

If you want to assign a value, pass an argument, or return from a method based on the nullability of an identifier, the clearest syntax you can use in these cases is the ?? (null-coalescing) operator.

Therefore, whenever JetBrains Rider encounters an assignment of a variable preceded by checking this variable for null with the if expression, it suggests simplifying the assignment using the ??= operator.

            
class TypeCheck
{
    Type CheckType(object obj)
    {
        if (obj == null)
            obj = new { };
        return obj.GetType();
    }
}
        
        

            
class TypeCheck
{
    Type CheckType(object obj)
    {
        obj ??= new { };
        return obj.GetType();
    }
}

        

Speaking about the performance of both operators, there is no observable difference. Actually, the ?? is even a tiny bit faster.

Last modified: 23 September 2024