koobas.hobune.stream
Do I have to check for null value before assigning a variable in Awake()?
I have a code written as the following
void Awake()
{
if(this.robot == null)
this.robot = GameObject.FindObjectOfType<Robot>()as Robot;
else {
this.robot = null;
this.robot = GameObject.FindObjectOfType<Robot>()as Robot;
}
}
Since this is happening in Awake(), is null checking necessary? Can't it be written as the following?
void Awake()
{
this.robot = GameObject.FindObjectOfType<Robot>()as Robot;
}
EDIT:
I am not accessing robot's properties or methods in the Awake().
You can use the second. The null checking is unnecessary.
Null checking is not necessary, because you do not read value of "robot" at all.
Not in Awake(), no. But I access it later in the Start().
Null checking is only useful immediately before you read a value. There is no benefit to check if a value is null immediately before writing to it.
The only exception to this rule is if assigning the value has side effects. Having side effects that require null checking by the user before assigning a value is bad coding practice, and should be avoided.
