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How are type parameters specified and utilized in generic classes and methods?

Steilla Mitchel 165 03-Nov-2023

How are type parameters specified and utilized in generic classes and methods?

c# c#  methods  generic class 
Updated on 05-Nov-2023
Steilla Mitchel

Steilla Mitchel

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Aryan Kumar

Aryan Kumar

05-Nov-2023

Type parameters in generic classes and methods in C# are specified and utilized to create flexible, reusable components that can work with different data types while maintaining type safety. Here's how type parameters are specified and utilized in generic classes and methods:

1. Specifying Type Parameters:

In a Generic Class:

When defining a generic class, you specify type parameters by enclosing them in angle brackets (<>) after the class name.

Type parameters are typically represented by a single uppercase letter, although you can use any valid identifier.

For example, to create a generic class for a stack data structure, you might define it as follows:

public class GenericStack<T>
{
    // Class members can use the type parameter 'T'.
}

In a Generic Method:

When defining a generic method, you specify type parameters similarly to generic classes, by enclosing them in angle brackets (<>) after the method name.

Type parameters are scoped to the method and can be different from type parameters in the containing class.

For example, to create a generic method for finding the maximum value in an array, you might define it as follows:

public T FindMax<T>(T[] array)
{
    // Method body can use the type parameter 'T'.
}

2. Utilizing Type Parameters:

In a Generic Class:

Inside a generic class, you can use the specified type parameter T to define fields, properties, methods, and other members that work with data of that generic type.

For example, you can create a stack that stores elements of type T:

public class GenericStack<T>
{
    private List<T> items = new List<T>();

    public void Push(T item)
    {
        items.Add(item);
    }

    public T Pop()
    {
        if (items.Count > 0)
        {
            T item = items[items.Count - 1];
            items.RemoveAt(items.Count - 1);
            return item;
        }
        else
        {
            throw new InvalidOperationException("Stack is empty.");
        }
    }
}

In a Generic Method:

Inside a generic method, you can use the specified type parameter T to work with data of that generic type.

You can perform operations, comparisons, and other actions specific to the type T within the method.

For example, in the generic FindMax method:

public T FindMax<T>(T[] array) where T : IComparable<T>
{
    T max = array[0];
    foreach (T item in array)
    {
        if (item.CompareTo(max) > 0)
        {
            max = item;
        }
    }
    return max;
}

3. Utilizing Generic Classes and Methods:

To use a generic class or method, you provide the actual data type as the type argument when creating an instance of the class or calling the method.

For example, to use the GenericStack class with integers:

GenericStack<int> intStack = new GenericStack<int>();
intStack.Push(42);
int poppedValue = intStack.Pop();

Similarly, to call the FindMax method with an array of doubles:

double[] doubleArray = { 3.14, 1.618, 2.718 };
double maxDouble = FindMax(doubleArray);

By specifying and utilizing type parameters, you can write code that is both generic and type-safe, making your components adaptable to various data types without sacrificing the benefits of static type checking.

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