Nothing Keyword

Nothing Keyword

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Syntax

     Nothing 

Description

The Nothing keyword represents an undefined instance of an object. Reference types that have not yet been assigned an instance have a value of Nothing.

Value types never have a value of Nothing; they always have a value assigned. Assigning Nothing to a value type assigns that variable the default value for that type. For instance, in the statement:

     Dim unassignedValue As Integer = Nothing 

the unassignedValue variable is assigned zero, the default value for Integer variables.

Usage at a Glance

• To test a value for Nothing, do not use the equals comparison operator (=). Instead, use the IsNothing function or the Is operator.

       If (IsNothing(someVariable) = True) Then...     If (someVariable Is Nothing) Then... 

  
  

See Also

Is Operator, IsNot Operator, IsNothing Function