Scribbles for my bad memory

The choice between = null! and = string.Empty depends on the context and the intent of the code. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

= null!

When to Use:

1. You Intend to Initialize the Field Later:

   • Use = null! when the property or field is expected to be set by a constructor, a method, or dependency injection after the object is created.

   • Example:

     public string Name { get; set; } = null!;
     

   • Why: null! tells the compiler to trust you that the value will be assigned before being accessed.

2. Avoid Premature Default Values:

   • If a default value like string.Empty doesn't make sense for the context, null! keeps the intent clearer.

3. For Models or Data Contracts:

   • In cases where fields are expected to match a schema or be deserialized from external sources, it might be better to indicate "unknown until set."

   • Example:

     public string Username { get; set; } = null!; // Will be deserialized later
     

= string.Empty

When to Use:

1. Default Values Are Meaningful:

   • Use = string.Empty when an empty string is a valid and reasonable default.

   • Example:

     public string Name { get; set; } = string.Empty;
     

   • Why: This avoids null-checking or potential runtime errors when accessing the property.

2. Simpler to Work With:

   • If the field/property is commonly accessed and null is not a meaningful value in your application, an empty string simplifies the logic (avoids extra null-checks).

3. UI or Display-Friendly Fields:

   • For fields used in UI contexts, empty strings often make more sense than null:

     public string Description { get; set; } = string.Empty;
     

Key Differences

When to Avoid = null!

• When it's unclear who or what will initialize the property.
• When using null might lead to accidental runtime errors.
• When the property will be frequently accessed before initialization.

Recommendation

• Use = string.Empty when empty strings make sense as defaults and simplify code.
• Use = null! when initialization will occur later, and null isn't a valid or meaningful runtime value.

You know who is the real author of this article, don't you? :P