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EN CSharp Keyword default

Codex edited this page Oct 11, 2026 · 2 revisions

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C#: default

Handbook C# · Practical Guide

default produces the default value of a type or defines the fallback branch of switch. The where T : default constraint applies to a generic method override or explicit interface implementation; it does not declare an interface method body.

Simple example (Example.cs)

Save this example separately as Example.cs. Run it independently of the other examples on this page.

Example.cs:

// PROJECT-EXAMPLE
int count = default;
string? name = default;
System.Console.WriteLine($"{count}:{name is null}");

Result:

0:True

Syntax

default(T) / default / default:

Example 1: simple form

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;

public static class Program
{
    public static async Task Main(string[] args)
    {
        int count = default;
        string? name = default(string);
        Console.WriteLine($"{count}:{name is null}");
    }
}

Example 2: another practical form

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;

public static class Program
{
    public static async Task Main(string[] args)
    {
        int state = 9;
        switch (state) { case 1: Console.WriteLine("Known"); break; default: Console.WriteLine("Unknown"); break; }
    }
}

Example 3

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.IO;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;

public static class Program
{
    public static async Task Main(string[] args)
    {
        IReport report = new Report();
        Console.WriteLine(report.Text());
    }
}
public interface IReport { string Text() => "default implementation"; }
public class Report : IReport { }

Official source: Microsoft Learn.

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