Description |
The Nil constant is a pointer value that is defined as undetermined.
Use of a Nil pointer will result in an exception.
Nil is mostly used as a substitute for a Pointer parameter - it tells the routine that no Pointer value is available for this parameter.
Pointer variables are not set to Nil except in special circumstances, such as when creating a new object that contains pointers. This is because Delphi initialises the storage taken by a new object to 0's. A Nil pointer is one that has the value 0.
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Related commands |
Assigned |
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Returns true if a reference is not nil |
Null |
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A variable that has no value |
Pointer |
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Defines a general use Pointer to any memory based data |
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Example code : A simple example |
var
myPtr : PChar;
begin // Pointer variables are not set to nil by default
if myPtr = Nil
then ShowMessage('myPtr is nil')
else ShowMessage('myPtr is not nil');
// So we must set them to nil to be sure that they are undefined
myPtr := Nil;
if myPtr = Nil
then ShowMessage('myPtr is nil')
else ShowMessage('myPtr is still not nil');
end;
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Show full unit code |
myPtr is not nil
myPtr is nil
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