c# - Why is a bool's default val (false) not recognized? -

this question has answer here:

• why must local variables have initial values 4 answers

with code:

bool successfulsend; const string quote = "\""; string keepprinteron = string.format("! u1 setvar {0}power.dtr_power_off{0} {0}off{0}", quote); string shutprinteroff = string.format("! u1 setvar {0}power.dtr_power_off{0} {0}on{0}", quote); string advancetoblackbar = string.format("! u1 setvar {0}media.sense_mode{0} {0}bar{0}", quote); string advancetogap = string.format("! u1 setvar {0}media.sense_mode{0} {0}gap{0}", quote);  if (radbtnbar.checked) {     successfulsend = sendcommandtoprinter(advancetoblackbar); } else if (radbtngap.checked) {     successfulsend = sendcommandtoprinter(advancetogap); } if (successfulsend) {     messagebox.show("label type command sent"); } 

i get, "use of unassigned local variable 'successfulsend'"

so have change bool declaration to:

bool successfulsend = false; 

...to compile/run. isn't false default value of bool[ean]s? why default value have explicitly specified?

there no complaint code:

public bool sendcommandtoprinter(string cmd) {     bool success; // init'd false default     try     {         serialport serialport = new serialport();         serialport.baudrate = 19200;         serialport.handshake = handshake.xonxoff;         serialport.open();         serialport.write(cmd);         serialport.close();         success = true;     }     catch // may not need try/catch block, success defaults false     {         success = false;     }     return success; } 

update

this compiles:

bool success; serialport serialport = new serialport(); serialport.baudrate = 19200; serialport.handshake = handshake.xonxoff; serialport.open(); serialport.write(cmd); serialport.close(); success = true; return success; 

but isn't false default value of bool[ean]s?

for fields (instance variables , static variables), yes.

but local variables don't have default values, regardless of type. have assigned before they're read.