C# shorthand for Equals() when both args can be null

Question

A simple question:

I want to compare two objects using the virtual Equals() method (not ==). Both can be null.

Should I repeat this litany:

if ((left == null && right == null) || (left != null && left.Equals(right)) {

}

or is there a more elegant idiom for such situation?

Answer 1

Yup:

if (object.Equals(left, right))

or even without making it obvious that it's calling the static method:

if (Equals(left, right))

(Personally I prefer the extra clarity though.)

The static object.Equals method doesn't have terribly good documentation, but it does exactly what you want :)