C# conditional using block statement

Question

I have the follow code but it is awkward. How could I better structure it? Do I have to make my consuming class implement IDisposable and conditionally construct the network acc

Answer 1

I don't know if it is "better", but you could use the null object pattern and have a "null" disposable network access object. Something like this:

protected void ValidateExportDirectoryExists()     
{
  using (GetNetworkAccess(username, password, domain))
  {                 
    CheckExportDirectoryExists();
  }
} 

protected IDisposable GetNetworkAccess(string username, string password, string domain)
{
  return useNetworkAccess ? new Core.NetworkAccess(username, password, domain) : new NullNetworkAccess(username, password, domain);
}

internal class NullNetworkAccess : IDisposable
{
  internal NullNetworkAccess(string username, string password, string domain)
  {
  }

  public void Dispose()
  {
  }
}

This is probably too cute for its own good.

[EDIT] Just saw in Jon's answer that null can be used in a using statement. I had no idea!