else or return?

Question

Which one out of following two is best wrt to performance and standard practice. How does .NET internally handles these two code snippets?

Code1

If(r         


        

Answer 1

It depends on what "result", "process1" and "process2" are.

If process2 is the logical consequence of "result" being false; you should go for Code 1. This is the most readable pattern if process1 and process2 are equivalent alternatives.

if (do_A_or_B = A)
  A()
else
  B()

If result is some "no-go" condition and "process1" is merely a cleanup needed on such condition you should choose Code 2. It is the most readable pattern if "process2" is the main action of the function.

if (NOT can_do_B)
{
  A() 
  return
}

B()