ENGLISH
REFERENCE

elvis

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɛɫvɪs// elvis

n. a specific way of writing code where you use a special symbol (?.) to check if something exists before you try to use it. This helps prevent your computer program from crashing if a piece of information is missing.

n. a syntax pattern in programming, specifically the null-coalescing or optional chaining operator, used to safely access properties of an object that might be null. It prevents runtime errors by short-circuiting the evaluation if the operand is null or undefined.


SIMPLE

You should use the Elvis operator to avoid a null pointer error.

CONTEXTUAL

The developer refactored the code to use an Elvis operator, ensuring the application wouldn't crash when a user profile was missing.

COMPLEX

By implementing the Elvis operator within the data-binding logic, the team significantly reduced the amount of boilerplate code required for null-safety checks across the entire front-end architecture.

Synonyms
Origin

From the anglicisation of the Irish name of Saint Ailbe (Saint Elvis), also known as Saint Eilfyw or Eilfw. Ultimate origin is uncertain.

Usage

Usually refers to the '?:' or '?.' symbols; the name derives from the symbol's resemblance to the singer's hair quiff.

Idioms1 entry

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