orDefault

orDefault is a programming concept commonly used in languages that support optional types or nullable values. It is a method or function that provides a default value when the actual value is null or not present. This is particularly useful in scenarios where a null value could cause a runtime error or lead to unexpected behavior.

The orDefault method is often used in conjunction with optional types, which are variables that can hold either a value or no value at all. In languages like Java, Kotlin, and C#, optional types are represented by classes such as Optional, OptionalInt, or Nullable. In Swift, optional types are denoted by a question mark (?) after the type name.

When using orDefault, if the optional variable contains a value, that value is returned. If the optional variable is null or empty, the method returns a specified default value. This ensures that the program can continue executing without encountering a null reference exception or other errors related to missing values.

For example, in Java, you might use the orElse method of the Optional class to provide a default value:

Optional<String> optionalName = Optional.ofNullable(null);

String name = optionalName.orElse("Unknown");

In this example, since optionalName is null, the variable name will be assigned the value "Unknown".

The orDefault method is a simple yet powerful tool for handling null or missing values, making code more robust and easier to maintain. It helps prevent common programming errors and improves the overall reliability of applications.