In the video, Torgersen says the nullability feature was inspired by TypeScript. Torgersen says he consulted TypeScript creator Anders Heijlsberg to build the nullable reference feature.
As a heavy TypeScript user myself, it was easy to see the parallels between the designs: question mark nullability, the compiler-enforced nullability checks rather than runtime-enforced, "dammit operator" to override the compiler. All shared between TypeScript and C#.
I love this feature in TypeScript; it's help me find numerous bugs and helps me reason about my code. I'm looking forward to using it in C#.
For the past couple of years I have been the lead designer of C#. Anders and I took a break to help create TypeScript, and then he stayed on as it's lead designer, while I returned to take over C#.
Anders and I meet every week to compare notes, and I make sure to get his input on major new features in C#.
As a heavy TypeScript user myself, it was easy to see the parallels between the designs: question mark nullability, the compiler-enforced nullability checks rather than runtime-enforced, "dammit operator" to override the compiler. All shared between TypeScript and C#.
I love this feature in TypeScript; it's help me find numerous bugs and helps me reason about my code. I'm looking forward to using it in C#.