# Short-Circuit Evaluation

*noun*

say it: **“SHORT SER-kit ih-val-yoo-AY-shun”** **/ʃɔːrt ˈsɜːrkɪt ɪˌvæljuˈeɪʃən/**

The way && and || stop checking as soon as the left side already decides the answer.

## What is **Short-Circuit Evaluation** in C#?

**Short-Circuit Evaluation** — `&&` and `||` stop as soon as the left side settles the answer: with `&&`, a false left side means the right side never runs. Put the safety check first, as here, where it stops a divide by zero.

```csharp
int gamesPlayed = 0;
int wins = 0;

if (gamesPlayed > 0 && (decimal)wins / gamesPlayed > 0.5m)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Winning record");
}
Console.WriteLine("No crash"); // No crash
```

## In a sentence

- “Thanks to **short-circuit evaluation**, the division never ran when gamesPlayed was zero.”

Level: Apprentice · [More C# terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary?category=c-sharp&level=2)

Updated: October 28, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/short-circuit-evaluation-c-sharp