By name: use-optional-chaining description: Use optional chaining (?.) to safely access nested properties that might be null or undefined.
Use Optional Chaining
Pattern
Use ?. to safely access nested properties without explicit null checks.
✅ Good (Optional Chaining)
const modelName = settings?.transcription?.model?.name;
const firstItem = array?.[0];
const resultFunc = processor?.process?.();
❌ Bad (Manual Checks)
const modelName = settings && settings.transcription
&& settings.transcription.model
&& settings.transcription.model.name;
Syntax
Property Access
obj?.prop
Array/Computed Property
arr?.[0]
obj?.[dynamicKey]
Function Call
func?.()
callback?.(arg1, arg2)
When to Use
- Accessing nested object properties
- Calling functions that might not exist
- Working with optional data from APIs
- Handling potentially null/undefined values
Returns
Returns undefined if any part of the chain is null or undefined.