This article explores 20 essential shorthand operators every C# developer should master, complete with examples to understand their practical use.
1. Conditional Operator ? :
Also known as the ternary operator, it evaluates a condition and returns one of two values based on the result.
int age = 18;
string status = age >= 18 ? "Adult" : "Minor";
Console.WriteLine(status);
2. Null-Conditional Operator (Member Access) ?.
Safely access members of an object that might be null without throwing a NullReferenceException.
string? name = null;
int? length = name?.Length;
Console.WriteLine(length);
3. Null-Conditional Operator (Element Access) ?[]
Similar to ?. but used for arrays or collections.
int[]? numbers = null;
int? firstNumber = numbers?[0];
Console.WriteLine(firstNumber);
4. Null-Coalescing Operator ??
Provides a default value if the left-hand operand is null.
string? name = null;
string displayName = name ?? "Guest";
Console.WriteLine(displayName);
5. Null-Coalescing Assignment Operator ??=
Assigns a value to a variable only if it is null.
string? name = null;
name ??= "Default Name";
Console.WriteLine(name);
6. Null-Forgiving Operator !
Tells the compiler that a value will not be null, bypassing nullability warnings (use cautiously).
string? name = null;
int length = name!.Length;
7. Index Operator ^
Access elements from the end of a collection.
int[] numbers = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
int last = numbers[^1];
Console.WriteLine(last);
8. Range Operator ..
Creates a range of elements from a collection.
int[] numbers = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
int[] subset = numbers[1..4];
Console.WriteLine(string.Join(", ", subset));
9. Expression Body Definition =>
Simplifies method or property definitions.
public class Calculator
{
public int Add(int a, int b) => a + b;
}
Calculator calc = new Calculator();
Console.WriteLine(calc.Add(3, 5));
10. Type-Testing Operator is
Checks if an object is of a specific type.
object obj = "Codú";
if (obj is string text)
{
Console.WriteLine(text);
}
11. Type-Testing Negation Operator is not
Ensures an object is not of a specific type.
object obj = 42;
if (obj is not string)
{
Console.WriteLine("Not a string");
}
12. Type-Casting Operator as
Attempts to cast an object to a specific type, returning null if unsuccessful.
object obj = "Codú";
string? text = obj as string;
Console.WriteLine(text);
13. Compound Assignment Operators (e.g., +=, -=)
Combines an operation with assignment.
int x = 5;
x += 3; // Equivalent to x = x + 3
Console.WriteLine(x);
14. Lambda Operator => in LINQ
Defines inline functions for LINQ queries.
int[] numbers = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
var evens = numbers.Where(n => n % 2 == 0);
Console.WriteLine(string.Join(", ", evens));
15. Elvis Operator in String Interpolation $"{expr}"
Safely handles null values in interpolated strings.
string? name = null;
Console.WriteLine($"Hello, {name ?? "Codú"}!");
16. Default Literal default
Initializes a variable with its default value for the given type.
int number = default;
Console.WriteLine(number);
17. Discard Operator _
Ignores values you do not need.
(int a, _) = (1, 2);
Console.WriteLine(a);
18. Interpolated Verbatim Strings $@
Combines interpolated and verbatim strings.
string path = "C:\\Users\\{Environment.UserName}";
Console.WriteLine($@"Path: {path}");
19. Conditional Access with Indexer ?[index]
Combines safe navigation and index access.
Dictionary<string, int>? scores = null;
int? value = scores?["Codu"];
Console.WriteLine(value);
20. Switch Expression switch
A concise way to return values based on conditions.
string GetDayType(int day) => day switch
{
1 => "Monday",
2 => "Tuesday",
_ => "Other",
};
Console.WriteLine(GetDayType(1));
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