---

name: go-nil-interface description: Interface nil trap - typed nil is not nil

Interface Nil Trap

Problem

A typed nil pointer stored in an interface is NOT nil.

Pattern

WRONG - Typed nil escapes

Copyfunc GetUser(id int) error {
    var err *MyError  // typed nil
    if id < 0 {
        err = &MyError{"invalid id"}
    }
    return err  // Returns non-nil interface containing nil pointer!
}

if err := GetUser(1); err != nil {
    // This branch RUNS even though no error occurred
    fmt.Println("error:", err)
}

CORRECT - Return untyped nil

Copyfunc GetUser(id int) error {
    if id < 0 {
        return &MyError{"invalid id"}
    }
    return nil  // Return untyped nil
}

if err := GetUser(1); err != nil {
    // This branch does NOT run
    fmt.Println("error:", err)
}

Why It Happens

Interface contains (type, value). Typed nil has (type=*MyError, value=nil). This is different from (type=nil, value=nil).

Quick Fix

• Return nil directly, not typed nil variable
• Or return concrete type, not interface