07 Feb 2024
Intermediate
Generics in C# .NET are a powerful feature that allows you to create reusable code that works with different data types. They act as templates for types, where you define placeholders instead of specifying specific data types. These placeholders are then filled with actual data types when you use the generic code.
Generics in C# .NET allow you to define classes, interfaces, and methods with placeholder types that are specified when the generic type or method is instantiated or called. Generics provide a way to create reusable, type-safe code that can work with different data types without sacrificing type safety.
Key Concepts:
- Type Parameters: Represented by letters like
T, they serve as placeholders for actual data types when instantiating generic code. - Generic Classes: Defined with angle brackets and type parameters after the class name (e.g.,
List<T>). They can store and manipulate elements of a specific typeT. - Generic Methods: Similar to generic classes, they have type parameters within angle brackets after the method name (e.g.,
Swap<T>(T a, T b)). They can operate on different data types based on the provided arguments. - Generic Constraints: Optional restrictions on type parameters (
where T : structcan ensureTis a value type).
c-sharp
generics