Set Value Types to Null

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Introduction

I created this article to show developers that are moving to .Net 2.0 that you can now set value type fields to null. This feature was introduced in .Net 2.0. 

Here is a list of some of the Value Types in .Net.

Structs

Enumerations

Integral types

Floating-point types

decimal

bool

user defined structs

Example

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    bool? mynullBool = null;
    int? mynullInt = null;
   
    // Note that mynullBool will be set to null
    Console.WriteLine("mynullBool={0}", mynullBool);
    // Note that mynullInt will be set to null
    Console.WriteLine("mynullInt={0}", mynullInt);
   
    // How to Assign default values for null values
    mynullBool = GetBool() ?? true;
    mynullInt = GetInt() ?? 2006;
    // Note that mynullBool will be set to true
    Console.WriteLine("mynullBool={0}", mynullBool);
   // Note that mynullInt will be set to 2006
   Console.WriteLine("mynullInt={0}", mynullInt);
}
 
static bool? GetBool()
{
    return null;
}
 
static int? GetInt()
{
    return null;
}

Conclusion

The following link points to MSDN for value types. http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/s1ax56ch.aspx

The following link points to MSDN for nullable types. http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1t3y8s4s.aspx

About BuddyWork

Developed Enterprise Applications for various sectors in C, C++, C#, VB, VB.NET, Clipper, Artemis and many more languages. 

Currently working in London as a .Net Architect. 

Microsoft qualification consists of MCSD.Net and MCPD (Enterprise)