How to Avoid Null Pointer Exception By Using Safe Navigator Operator (?.)

In this blog, we will discuss how to Avoid Null Pointer Exception that occurred on various conditions by using the Safe Navigator Operator. In the recent update of Salesforce, Winter’21 introduced an Operator Named As Safe Navigator Operator(?.).

Certainly, it is efficient & easy to understand the syntax for Salesforce Developers, making the coding clean. In short, using this operator no need to write code for handles explicit, sequential checks for null references. In conclusion, this operator has short-circuited expressions.

Syntax: – e.g.: – a?.b // Evaluates to: a == null ? null : a.b

If the left-hand side of the chain expression figures out to null, the right-hand side isn’t classified. In conclusion, using the safe navigation operator (?.) in method, variable, and property chaining. To clarify, the part of the expression that isn’t classified can include variable references, method references, or array expressions.

Explaining Operator use by elaborating piece of Code is as follow: –

Firstly, the below example shows a single statement replacing a block of code that checks for nulls.

List<String> ListAccountSites = new List<String>();

//Step: 1
List<Account> ListAccounts = [SELECT Id, Name, Phone FROM Account LIMIT 10];

//Step: 2
Map<Id, Account> MapAccount Details= new Map<Id, Account>([SELECT Id, Name, Phone FROM Account LIMIT 10]);

for(Account a : ListAccounts){
    //Step: 3	
    Account NewAccount = MapAccount.get(a.Id);
    if(NewAccount!= null){
    	if(NewAccount.site != null){
        	ListAccountSites.add(NewAccount.Phone);
        }
    }
}

Finally, the above Example by using Safe Navigator Operator (?.):-

List<String> ListAccountSites = new List<String>();

//Step: 1
List<Account> ListAccounts = [SELECT Id, Name, Phone FROM Account LIMIT 10];

//Step: 2
Map<Id, Account> MapAccount Details= new Map<Id, Account>([SELECT Id, Name, Phone FROM Account LIMIT 10]);

for(Account a : ListAccounts){
        	ListAccountSites.add(MapAccount.get(a.Id)?.Phone);
}

Above all, we can use this Operator with a top-level statement, SObject chaining, SOQL Queries, etc.; for more details, refer to the below references.

We hope you may find this blog resourceful and helpful. If you still have concerns and need more help, please get in touch with us at salesforce@greytrix.com.

References:-

https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/langCon_apex_SafeNavigationOperator.htm

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