Question

Consider this snippet of code:

Func<int, bool> TestGreaterThanOne = delegate(int a) {
                 if (a > 1) return (true);
                 else return(false);
                 };

In the above code, I cannot delete the “else return(false)” statement – the compiler warns that not all code paths return a value. But in the following code, which uses a lambda…

Func<int, bool> TestGreaterThanOne = a => a > 1;

I do not have to have an “else” statement – there are no compiler warnings and the logic works as expected.

What mechanism is at play here to make me not have an “else” statement in my lambda?

Answer 1

Because in your lambda shorthand, there is no if statement either. Your lambda shorthand is equivalent to

Func<int, bool> TestGreaterThanOne = delegate(int a) { 
             return (a > 1);
             }; 

Therefore all code paths return a value.