+//------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// now you too can write code which assumes components are there without worrying about it!
+// usage requires a reference to an instance of a MonoBehaviour derived type
+// n.b. this creates an unattached valid instance of the type and returns it if one isn't present
+// this instance is not attached to a game object, will do nothing, and has an associated GC cost
+//------------------------------------------------------------------------
+public static class AlexRoseIsLazyAndCantBeBotheredToTypeUnitPatcher
+ //------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ // usage exactly as GetComponent< T >() but must be called via this in
+ // this.GetComponentSafe< SomeComponentClass >().member = assignFrom;
+ //------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ public static TypeToFind GetComponentSafe< TypeToFind >( this MonoBehaviour cSelf ) where TypeToFind : Component, new()
+ TypeToFind cInstanceOrNull = cSelf.GetComponent< TypeToFind >();
+ if( null != cInstanceOrNull )
+ return cInstanceOrNull;
+ return new TypeToFind();
+ //------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ // usage exactly as GetComponentInParent< T >() but must be called via this in
+ // this.GetComponentInParent< SomeComponentClass >().member = assignFrom;
+ //------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ public static TypeToFind GetComponentInParentSafe< TypeToFind >( this MonoBehaviour cSelf ) where TypeToFind : Component, new()
+ TypeToFind cInstanceOrNull = cSelf.GetComponentInParent< TypeToFind >();
+ if( null != cInstanceOrNull )
+ return cInstanceOrNull;
+ return new TypeToFind();
