Default value of nullable integer different in If() function

Question

I am trying to understand why the two code samples behave differently. I always believed the If() function to mimic the If language feature. Or am I looking at a behavior of Nullable(Of Integer) that is causing this?

Sample #1:

If Not String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(PC.SelectedValue) Then

    Dim pcFilter1 As Integer? = CInt(PC.SelectedValue)

Else

    Dim pcFilter1 As Integer? = Nothing

End If

Sample #2:

Dim pcFilter2 As Integer? = If(Not String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(PC.SelectedValue),
                               CInt(PC.SelectedValue),
                               Nothing)

Result:

pcFilter1 = Nothing

pcFilter2 = 0

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 07 '10 at 22:42

In sample #2, your CInt cast is causing the problem. The If() construct tries to determine a common type for the 2nd and 3rd parameters. Seeing the 2nd parameter as an integer it then converts Nothing into an integer, which due to VBs magic casting results in 0. e.g.

Dim i As Integer = Nothing 'results in i being set to 0

To get what you want with If() try the following:

Dim pcFilter2 As Integer? = If(Not String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(PC.SelectedValue),
                           New Integer?(CInt(PC.SelectedValue)),
                           Nothing)

Default value of nullable integer different in If() function

1 Answers1