C# 8.0 Nullable Reference Types

C# 8.0 brings a significant enhancement to the language that aims to minimize the dreaded NullReferenceException. Enter Nullable Reference Types (NRTs), a feature that allows developers to express whether a reference type is expected to be null or not, right in the type system.

What are Nullable Reference Types?

NRTs provide a way to explicitly declare the nullability of reference types. By default, reference types in C# 8.0 are non-nullable, and you can make them nullable by adding a suffix "?".

Why Use Nullable Reference Types?

• Reduce Bugs: NRTs help prevent null-related errors at compile-time, reducing the chances of encountering NullReferenceException at runtime.
• Express Intent: They make the code more readable and self-documenting by clearly expressing the intent regarding nullability.
• Improve Code Quality: NRTs encourage developers to think more carefully about where null is appropriate and where it isn’t.

How to Enable Nullable Reference Types?

To enable NRTs, you can add #nullable enable at the top of your C# files or configure your project file with <Nullable>enable</Nullable>.

C#

#nullable enable
public class Book
{
    public string Title { get; set; }
    public string? Author { get; set; } // Author can be null
}
        

This C# snippet demonstrates how to declare a class with NRTs, indicating that Title must not be null, while Author can be null.

Embracing the Change:

While adopting NRTs may require some adjustments to existing codebases, the benefits in terms of code robustness and maintainability are well worth it. It’s a step towards making nulls a thing of the past!

Dive into the world of C# 8.0 and embrace Nullable Reference Types to write safer, clearer, and more reliable code. Say goodbye to null-induced headaches and hello to a new era of C# development!