C# 4.0 - How to Handle Optional String Parameters

user_321946 0
Viewed 57864

This code is not valid:

private void Foo(string optionalString = string.Empty)
{
   // do foo.
}

But this code is:

private void Foo(string optionalString = "")
{
   // do foo.
}

Why? Because string.Empty is a readonly field, not a constant, and defaults for optional parameters must be a compile-time constant.

So, onto my question... (well, concern)

This is what i've had to do:

private const string emptyString = "";

private void Foo(string optionalString = emptyString)
{
   // do foo.
   if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(optionalString))
      // etc
}

How do you guys handle optional string parameters?

Why can they not make String.Empty a compile-time constant?

c#-4.0 optional-parameters string .net c#
6 Answers

Code Analysis warning 1026 says not to use optional parameters. It's better style to use overload methods, like this:

private void Foo()
{
   Foo(string.Empty);
}
private void Foo(string optionalString)
{
   // do foo.
   if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(optionalString))
      // etc
}
user_56918220
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