std::option::Option

An enumeration for optional values, representing either a value or the absence of a value (None) with full Rust ownership safety.

Compare with Result

Basic Option Patterns

Safe Unwrapping


if let Some(value) = get_option() {
    println!("Found value: {}", value);
} else {
    println!("No value found");
}

Chain of Optionals


let result = some_opt()
    .and_then(|s| s.parse::().ok())
    .map(|n| n * 2);

The Option Type

The Option enum represents the presence or absence of a value. Rust uses this instead of null pointers to safely handle missing values during compilation.

Some(T)

Holds a value of type T

None

Represents absence of value

Why Rust's Option is Unique

Unlike null in other languages, Option requires explicit handling of missing values - this eliminates whole class of bugs at compile time.

Common Methods

unwrap()

Returns the contained value or panics if None

expect(&str)

Like unwrap, but provides custom panic message

map(F)

Applies a function if Some, returns None if None

and_then(F)

Chains operations across optional values

Best Practice

Always use explicit pattern matching with match or if let to handle Options. Avoid direct unwrap() in production code to maintain safe error handling.