Assign and check for a null value at the same time?

Question

I have the following scenario: ``` if(xml.Descendants(ns + "Children").FirstOrDefault() != null) { XElement children = xml.Descendants(ns + "Children").FirstOrDefault(); } ``` Is there a way I can check for null and assign the value at the same time instead of having to search for the value twice, something similar to: ``` //Not sure if this is correct. if (XElement children = xml.Descendants(ns + "Children").FirstOrDefault() != null) { } ```

Accepted Answer

A variable assignment also returns the value. So the syntax in the form of the following will do:

```
SomeType someVariable;
if ((someVariable = valueToAssign) != null)
{
    // valueToAssign was not null
}
```

In your case:

```
XElement children;

if ((children = xml.Descendants(ns + "Children").FirstOrDefault()) != null)
{

}
```

Assign and check for a null value at the same time?

Solution

Problem

Related problems