Vinod Sebastian – B.Tech, M.Com, PGCBM, PGCPM, PGDBIO

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Tag: C#

C#

  • Notes

    Notes on C# Programming

    Access Modifiers in C#

    In C#, access modifiers control the visibility of classes, methods, and other members:

    • Public: Accessible by any code in the same or another assembly.
    • Private: Accessible only within the same class or struct.
    • Protected: Accessible within the same class, derived classes, or the same assembly.
    • Internal: Accessible by any code in the same assembly.
    • Protected internal: Accessible by code in the declaring assembly or derived classes in other assemblies.

    Default Access Modifiers

    In C#, classes are internal by default, while their members are private.

    Interfaces in C#

    Interfaces in C# can contain methods, properties, events, or indexers. Interface members are always public and cannot include access modifiers or be static.

    Sealed Classes

    A sealed class in C# cannot be inherited.

    Constructor Behavior

    If no constructor is explicitly defined, a default constructor is provided by the compiler.

    Shadowing and Inheritance

    When inheriting classes in C#, the new keyword can be used to indicate shadowing of inherited members.

    Extension Methods

    Extension methods allow adding new methods to existing types like integers using static classes and methods.

    Named Arguments

    In C#, named arguments can be used in method calls after positional arguments.

    Indexers in C#

    class IPAddress {
        public int[] ip;
        public int this[int index] {
            get { return ip[index]; }
            set { ip[index] = value; }
        }
    }
    IPAddress myIp = new IPAddress();
    myIp[0] = 0;

    Reference Variables and Generics

    Reference variables use ref in both calling arguments and called parameters. They are commonly used in generics.

    Conversion and Casting

    C# provides various methods for conversions and casting, such as int.Parse for parsing integers and System.Convert.

    Unmanaged Code

    Unmanaged code in C# refers to code written outside the Common Language Runtime (CLR) and can be accessed using P/Invoke and COM Interop.

    P/Invoke in C#

    Static extern uint GetShortPathName([MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPStr)] string Pathname);

    COM Interop

    COM Interop in C# involves adding references, using dynamic data types, and utilizing interfaces for communicating with COM components.

    Strings in C#

    C# provides various constructors and methods for working with strings, including formatting options and immutable string behavior.

    Delegates and Events

    Delegates and events are powerful features in C# for implementing callbacks and event-driven programming.

    Exception Handling

    C# supports exception handling using try-catch blocks, custom exceptions, and serialization for cross-AppDomain exceptions.

  • Event

    Event in C# Programming

    Overview

    An event in C# is a mechanism that formalizes the broadcaster-subscriber pattern. It provides a way for objects to communicate with each other in a loosely coupled manner, enhancing the flexibility and modularity of the codebase.

    Key Points

    • Events in C# formalize the broadcaster-subscriber pattern, enabling efficient communication between objects without tight coupling.
    • Within the broadcaster type, developers have full access to the delegate associated with the event. This allows the broadcaster to raise the event and notify subscribers effectively.
    • External code can interact with events by adding and removing event handlers using the += and -= operators. However, it cannot directly invoke the delegate, ensuring the integrity of the event flow.

    Additional Information

    Events play a crucial role in C# programming, particularly in implementing design patterns like the observer pattern. In the observer pattern, an object (the subject) maintains a list of dependents (observers) and notifies them of any state changes, facilitating reactive programming.

    By leveraging events, developers can enhance code maintainability and readability by separating concerns and promoting encapsulation. This leads to more organized and structured codebases, making it easier to manage and extend the software.

  • Basic

    Basic Concepts in C# Programming

    General Overview of C# Language

    C# is a versatile programming language known for its robust features and widespread use in various application development domains. Below are some fundamental aspects of C#:

    • General Purpose: C# is a multipurpose language utilized for developing desktop, web, and mobile applications, making it a popular choice among developers for its flexibility.
    • Object-Oriented Paradigm: C# follows the object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigm, enabling developers to represent real-world entities through classes and objects, promoting code reusability and maintainability.
    • Type Safety: C# is a statically typed language, ensuring type checking is done at compile time to prevent type-related errors during runtime, enhancing code reliability and stability.
    • Case Sensitivity: C# is case-sensitive, meaning that identifiers like variable names are distinguished based on the use of uppercase and lowercase letters, requiring precise naming conventions for consistency.

    Additional Information about C# Programming Language:

    C# was developed by Microsoft and is part of the .NET framework. It is widely used for building Windows applications, web services, and games. Some key features of C# include:

    • Garbage Collection: C# has automatic memory management through garbage collection, which helps in deallocating memory that is no longer in use, reducing memory leaks and improving performance.
    • Exception Handling: C# provides robust mechanisms for handling exceptions, allowing developers to gracefully manage errors and unexpected situations in their code.
    • LINQ (Language Integrated Query): C# supports LINQ, a powerful feature for querying data from various sources like databases, collections, and XML files using a uniform syntax, enhancing productivity and readability of code.

    Benefits of Learning C# Programming:

    Learning C# can open up various opportunities for developers due to its widespread use and demand in the industry. Some benefits of mastering C# programming include:

    • Ability to build a wide range of applications across different platforms.
    • High market demand for C# developers, leading to lucrative career opportunities.
    • Integration with other Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET, Azure, and Xamarin for comprehensive application development.
  • General

    General

    CLR and Compilation in C#

    In C#, the Common Language Runtime (CLR) serves as the compiler. When writing C# code, the compilation process involves translating the code into an intermediate language (IL) that the CLR can understand. This IL code is then compiled into machine code at runtime by the CLR.

    To compile C# code using the command-line compiler, you can use the csc command followed by the filenames. For example:

    csc *.cs *.exe

    If you want to compile your code into a library (DLL), you can use the following command:

    csc /target:library *.cs *.dll

    Immutable Objects

    In programming, “immutable” objects are those whose state cannot be changed after they are created. In C#, using immutable objects can lead to more predictable code behavior and help in avoiding bugs related to unintended modifications.

    Value Types and Unification in C#

    Value types in C#, such as int, represent data directly and are stored on the stack. These types have a fixed size and are copied by value when passed around.

    C# allows for unification, which is the process of converting value types to objects (reference types) through a mechanism called boxing. This enables value types to be treated as objects in certain contexts.

  • Arrays

    Arrays in C#

    Initialization and Types

    In C#, arrays are fundamental data structures used to store a fixed-size collection of elements sharing the same data type. When declared, arrays are automatically initialized with default values, which are typically 0 for numerical types and null for reference types.

    There are two primary types of arrays in C#: rectangular arrays and jagged arrays. Rectangular arrays, denoted by [,], are multi-dimensional arrays with a fixed number of dimensions. On the other hand, jagged arrays, denoted by [][], allow each element to be an array of varying length, offering more flexibility in organizing data.

    Implicit Typing

    C# introduced implicit typing for arrays in version 3.0 with the var keyword. Implicit typing enables developers to declare arrays without explicitly specifying the data type, enhancing code conciseness and readability. By using var, the compiler deduces the type based on the initialization, simplifying array declarations.

    Tags: C#, Programming World

  • Namespace

    The Importance of Namespaces in C# Programming

    When working with C# programming, namespaces play a crucial role in organizing and categorizing code elements. They help prevent naming conflicts, improve code readability, and enhance code reusability.

    The global:: Keyword

    The global:: keyword is used to access root-level namespaces. It ensures that the compiler starts searching for the namespace from the global namespace scope.

    Alias Declaration

    Alias declarations provide a way to create a shorthand reference for a namespace or a type. For example, using PropertyInfo2 = System.Reflection.PropertyInfo; creates an alias for System.Reflection.PropertyInfo, allowing for easier and more concise usage.

    Commonly Used System Namespaces

    • System.Numerics: Contains numeric types that complement the existing numeric primitives in C#.
    • System.Boolean, System.Convert, System.String: Fundamental namespaces for handling boolean values, type conversions, and string operations respectively.
    • System.Collections: Provides higher-level data structures like arrays and dictionaries for efficient data manipulation.
    • System.Object: Serves as the base class for all types in C#, forming the root of the type hierarchy.
    • System.Collections.Generic: Offers interfaces for mutable collections, essential for working with generic types.
    • System.Delegate: Contains the necessary types for defining and working with delegates, a key feature of C# for implementing callbacks and event handling.
    • System.Exception: Handles exceptions and errors in C# applications, allowing for robust error management.
    • System.Attribute: Supports the creation and consumption of custom attributes in C# code, enabling metadata annotations for types and members.
    • System.Web.Services: Specifically designed for building SOAP-based web services, providing the necessary components for web communication.

    By utilizing these namespaces effectively in your C# projects, you can streamline development, promote code organization, and leverage the rich set of functionalities offered by the .NET framework.

  • Parameter Passing

    Parameter Passing

    In C#, when calling a method or function, parameters can be passed in different ways depending on the requirements. Here are the common ways of passing parameters:

    1. Pass by Value

    Pass by value involves passing a copy of the parameter’s value to the method. Any changes made to the parameter within the method do not affect the original value outside the method.

    2. Pass by Reference (ref)

    Passing by reference allows the method to modify the actual value of the parameter. Changes made to the parameter within the method are reflected in the original value outside the method.

    3. Pass as Out

    Passing as out requires the parameter to be assigned within the method before returning. It is often used when a method needs to return multiple values.

    4. Pass as Param

    Passing as param allows passing any number of similar parameters to a method. This can be useful when working with variable-length argument lists.

    Understanding the different ways of parameter passing in C# is essential for writing efficient and effective code.

    Categories: C#, IT Notes

    Tags: C#, Programming World

  • Functions

    Functions in C#

    Functions are essential components in C# programming that define the behavior and logic of a program. They play a crucial role in creating efficient and maintainable code.

    1. Signature

    In C#, a function’s signature includes important information such as the parameter passing mechanism (by reference or by value), data types of parameters, and the function name. The signature acts as a blueprint defining the structure and usage of the function within the program, ensuring clear communication of function requirements.

    2. Abstract Methods

    Abstract methods in C# classes act as placeholders that must be implemented by derived classes. These methods do not have a method body and are implicitly marked as virtual. By using abstract methods, a base class establishes a contract that requires derived classes to provide their own concrete implementation. This approach enforces a consistent interface across different classes while allowing customization of method behavior based on specific class needs.

    3. Virtual Methods

    Virtual methods in C# allow a base class to offer a default implementation that can be overridden by subclasses. Subclasses can redefine the behavior of a virtual method using the override keyword. This feature promotes polymorphic behavior, enabling different classes to exhibit varied implementations of the same method. This enhances code reusability and extensibility.

  • Classes

    Understanding Classes in C# Programming

    Partial Classes and Methods

    Partial classes in C# provide a way to split the definition of a class across multiple files. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where a class becomes too large or when separating auto-generated code from custom code.

    Automatic Properties

    Automatic properties offer a convenient syntax for defining properties without explicitly specifying the backing field. They are commonly used for straightforward properties that do not require additional logic in their getter or setter methods.

    Class Inheritance

    • In C#, class inheritance allows a reference to a base class to point to an object of a subclass. This relationship enables code reusability and the implementation of polymorphism.
    • Upcasting involves creating a reference to a base class from a subclass reference, while downcasting is the process of creating a subclass reference from a base class reference, requiring explicit casting.
    • The as operator in C# performs a safe downcast, returning null if the downcast is not valid, while the is operator verifies the possibility of a successful downcast.

    Abstract Classes and Virtual Members

    An abstract class in C# serves as a template for other classes to inherit from but cannot be instantiated itself. Abstract members within such a class must be implemented by its subclasses, ensuring a consistent structure across derived classes.

    By marking a method as virtual, it can be overridden by subclasses to provide specialized implementations, enabling polymorphic behavior in the program.

    Constructor Behavior

    When initializing objects in C#, constructors are executed in reverse order of declaration when transitioning from a subclass to a base class. This ensures that the initialization process occurs correctly within the class hierarchy.

    Method Overloading

    In C#, method overloading allows multiple methods within the same class to have the same name but with different parameters. During compilation, the most specific method based on the provided arguments is selected, promoting code flexibility and reusability.

    Accessibility in Classes

    • By default, classes in C# have internal accessibility if not nested within other classes. Internal classes are only accessible within the same assembly, promoting encapsulation and modular design.
    • In C#, a subclass can have lower accessibility than its base class but not higher. This restriction ensures that the subclass does not expose more than what the base class intends to make available, maintaining the principle of least privilege.
  • Boxing and Unboxing

    Understanding Boxing and Unboxing in C#

    Boxing and Unboxing in C#

    In C#, boxing is the process of converting a value type instance to an object reference type. It allows value types to be treated as objects, facilitating scenarios where value types need to be used as objects. On the other hand, unboxing is the reverse process of extracting the original value type from the object, requiring explicit type casting.

    Boxing in C#

    Boxing plays a crucial role when a value type needs to be stored in a data structure that expects objects, like collections. When a value type is boxed, it is wrapped inside an object allocated on the heap, enabling it to be manipulated as an object.

    Unboxing in C#

    Unboxing involves retrieving the original value type from the boxed object. This process requires explicit type casting to convert the object back to its original value type. Incorrect casting during unboxing can result in runtime errors, emphasizing the importance of accurate type conversions.

    Key Points to Remember

    • Boxing allows the conversion of a value type to a reference type, enabling value types to be treated as objects when necessary.
    • Unboxing is the process of extracting the original value type from a boxed object by performing explicit type casting.
    • Both boxing and unboxing incur performance overhead due to memory allocation and type conversions, so they should be used judiciously in C# programming.