2011/12/23 John Crenshaw <johncrens...@priacta.com> > > From: Will Fitch [mailto:will.fi...@gmail.com] > > > > I would like to take this opportunity to query on a consensus: > > > > Would you prefer to allow methods with type hinted return values to > return null at will, or add a marker noting that it *may* return null? > > > > Example: Return null at will > > > > public ArrayIterator getIterator() > > { > > // something happened, will return null > > return null; > > } > > > > Example: Return only if identified as such > > > > public ArrayIterator? getIterator() > > { > > return null; > > } > > I hate the syntax in the second example (using ?). >
It looks strange, but easy to get used to. Two examples from C#: public decimal? Grade { get; set; } public Nullable<System.DateTime> Time { get; set; } > > IMO allowing null should be the default unless specifically disallowed. I disagree for the reasons mentioned by for instance Robert. Type hints should be strict/explicit or not done at all.