Module 2: C# 3.0 Language Enhancements (Material)

Visual Studio 2008
Community Training

By
Mohamed Saleh
mohamedsaleh@live.com
www.jordev.net
www.geeksconnected.com/mohamed

MODULE 2: C# 3.0 LANGUAGE ENHANCEMENTS

MODULE 2: C# 3.0 LANGUAGE
ENHANCEMENTS

Table of Contents
Official Community Material License 3
Module Overview 4
Automatically Implemented Properties 5
Lab 1: Using Auto-Implemented Properties 6
Object and Collection Initializers 8
Lab 2: Using Initializers 10
Implicit Typing 14
Lab 3: Using Implicit Typing 16
Extension Methods 19
Lab 4: Using Extension Methods 21
Lambda Expressions 24
Lab 5: Writing Expression Methods 25
Summary 28
References 29

2


Official Community Material License
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, Jordev assumes no responsibility for
errors, omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information herein.
This disclaimer statement, presented on this page, is an integral part of this document. Should this page of the
document, in its electronic or printed formats, be lost, deleted, destroyed or otherwise discarded, this disclaimer
statement applies despite the consequences.
© 2008 Jordev.NET. All rights reserved.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

3


Module Overview

This module introduces you to the new enhancements over the C# language version 3.0. C#
3.0 contains several key language enhancements build on C# 2.0 to increase the developers
productivity, these new enhancements provide the core for the LINQ Project.

Objectives:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
 Automate the process of creating properties with trivial implementation.
 Enhance the objects and collections using the Initializers.
 Create implicitly typed local variables.
 Extend existing types using Extension Methods.
 Write the new lambda expressions.

4


Automatically Implemented Properties

The Auto Implemented Properties feature can handle the properties with trivial
implementation (The unused getter and setter) by delegating the task of generating private
fields to the compiler; the compiler will generate hidden backing fields with the
implementation, the compiler use a specific syntax which make the fields inaccessible to
developers by using special identifiers which is not allowed with the C# identifiers in order to
not to conflict with any other fields written by the developer.
The following code illustrates the creation of properties using C# 2.0 and C# 3.0:
//C# 2.0 Version
public class Student
{
private string _name;
public string Name
{
get { return _name; }
set { _name = value; }
}
}
======================================================================================
//C# 3.0 Version
{
public string Name { get; set; }
}

This feature is related to the compiler and not the Framework Version or the Intermediate
Language, which mean it can be used with .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0.

5


Lab 1: Using Auto-Implemented Properties

After completing this lab, you will be able to:
 Use the Automatic Implemented Properties.
 Creating read-only and write-only properties.
 Using Automatic Implemented Properties with multi-framework versions.
 Examining the effects of the Automatic Implemented Properties on the generated
intermediate language.

Using the Auto Implemented Properties

1. On the File menu in Visual Studio 2008, point to New and then click Project.

2. In the New Project dialog box, select a language, and then select Windows in the
Project Types box.

3. In the Templates box, select Console Application.

4. In the Location box, type the path to where to create the application, and then click
OK.

5. In the Visual Studio code editor as the following code:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace GeeksConnected.Module02Lab01
{

6


internal class Student
{
public long ID { get; private set; }
public string Course { get; set; }
public string Level { private get; set; }

public Student(long id)
{
this.ID = 10;
}
}

public class AutoPropertiesLab
{
static void Main()
{
Student st1 = new Student(20);
st1.Name = "Omar";
st1.Level = "A";
st1.Course = "Introduction To C# 3.0";

Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
Console.WriteLine("===================");
Console.WriteLine("Student Name : {0}",st1.Name);
Console.WriteLine("Student ID : {0}",st1.ID.ToString());
Console.WriteLine("Student Course: {0}",st1.Course);

Console.WriteLine("Press any key to exit...");
Console.ReadKey();

}
}
}

6. Click Start on the Debug menu or press F5 to run the code.

Using Automatic Implemented Properties with Different Framework Versions

7. Right-click the project in the Solution Explorer and then click Properties.

8. On the Application tab, Go to the Target Framework drop-down list; click a .NET
Framework Version 2.0.

9. Run the code by pressing F5, the application will works properly with different
Framework Versions.

Examining the Generated Hidden Backing Field

1. Open Visual Studio 2008 Command Prompt from the Start -> Programs ->
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 -> Visual Studio Tools.

2. On the Command Prompt change the directory to C:LabsModule02Lab01binDebug
and then type ILdasm Module02Lab01.exe, the IL Disassembler will show the
generated backing fields under the class GeeksConnected.Module02Lab01.Student.

7


Object and Collection Initializers

Object Initializers Overview:

The standard way to initialize object is by passing the initial values to a parameterize
constructor, which requires some little code to build the parameterized constructor, or by
assigning the values to the properties directly.
C# 3.0 supports the concept of “Object Initializers” which allows the developer to create the
object instance and assign the initial values at the same time.

Defining Object Initializers:

“An object initializer consists of a sequence of member Initializers, enclosed by { and } tokens
and separated by commas. Each member initializer must name an accessible field or property
of the object being initialized, followed by an equals sign and an expression or an object
initializer or collection initializer.” Ref 5

The following example defines a new class “customer”, and then initialize in different ways:
1. Using the parameterized constructor:
//C# Version 2.0
Customer cst1 = new Customer(1,"Osama Asad","077-098-098-7");
2. Assigning the properties values directly:
//C# Version 2.0
Customer cst2 = new Customer();
cst2.ID = 2;
cst2.Name = "Ayman Farouk";
cst2.Phone = "0799-987-980-98";
3. Using the Object Initializer:
//C# Version 3.0: Using Object Initializer:
Customer cst3 = new Customer() { ID = 3, Name = "Osama Salam", Phone = "074-545-
545-67" };

8


Collection Initializers Overview:

The collection Initializers allows the developer to specify one or more elements Initializers
when initializing any type that implements the System.Collections.Generic.IEnumerable<T>.

Defining Collection Initializer:

“A collection initializer consists of a sequence of element initializers, enclosed by { and }
tokens and separated by commas. Each element initializer specifies an element to be added to
the collection object being initialized, and consists of a list of expressions enclosed by { and }
tokens and separated by commas. ” Ref 5

The following examples illustrate the classic way to initialize collections and the new way:
1. The classic way of initializing collections:
//C# Version 2.0
Customer cst1 = new Customer();
cst1.ID = 2;
cst1.Name = "Ayman Farouk";
cst1.Phone = "0799-987-980-98";

Customer cst2 = new Customer(3, "Osama Salam", "074-545-5");

List<Customer> CSTs = new List<Customer>();
CSTs.Add(cst1);
CSTs.Add(cst2);

2. Initializing Collections using the Collection Initializers:
List<Customer> CSTs = new List<Customer>()
{
new Customer() {ID = 1,Name = "Osama", Phone="07654332"},
new Customer() {ID = 2, Name = "Omar", Phone="06543267"},
new Customer() {ID= 3, Name = "Ahmad", Phone = "0744444"}
};

Initializers Rules:

1. Object Initializers cannot include more than one member initializer for the same field or
property.
2. The Object Initializers cannot refer to the newly created object it is initializing.
3. The Collection type must implements System.Collections.Generic.IEnumerable<T> in order
to have initializers.

9


Lab 2: Using Initializers

 Writing Object Initializer expressions.
 Writing Collection Initializer expressions.
 Using the nested object initializer.
 Using Initializers with multi-framework versions.
 Examining the generated initialization instructions in the intermediate language.

Using the Initializers


Project Types box.


OK.


using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

{

10


class Customer
{
public long ID { get; set; }
public string Company { get; set; }
public Phone phone { get; set; }
public Customer ReferalCustomer { get; set; }

public Customer()
{

}
}

class Phone
{
public int CountryCode;
public int AreaCode;
public int phone;

public Phone()
{
}

public override string ToString()
{
return CountryCode.ToString() + AreaCode.ToString() + phone.ToString();
}
}

class Module02Lab02
{
static void Main()
{

string refCustomer1, refCustomer2, refCustomer3;

List<Customer> custList = new List<Customer>
{
new Customer
{
Name = "Samer", ID = 1, Company = "Microsoft"
},

new Customer
{
Name = "Muhanad", ID = 2, Company = "Great Package",
phone = new Phone { CountryCode = 962, AreaCode = 6,
phone = 111111 }
},

new Customer
{
Name = "Mohamed", ID = 3, Company = "Estarta",
phone = 1234567},
ReferalCustomer = new Customer {Name = "Muhanad", ID = 2,
Company = "Great Package"}
},

new Customer
{
Name = "Ayman", ID = 4, Company = "Microsoft",
phone = new Phone{ CountryCode = 966, AreaCode = 8,
phone = 876544332},
ReferalCustomer = new Customer
{

11


Name = "Mohamed", ID = 3, Company = "Estarta",
phone = 1234567},
{
Name = "Muhanad", ID = 2,
Company = "Great Package",
{
Name = "Samer", ID = 1, Company = "Microsoft"
}
}
}
}
};

foreach (Customer cus in custList)
{
Console.WriteLine("Customer Information:");
Console.WriteLine("=====================");
Console.WriteLine("Customer ID : {0}", cus.ID);
Console.WriteLine("Customer Name : {0}", cus.Name);
Console.WriteLine("Customer Company: {0}", cus.Company);
if (cus.phone != null)
{
Console.WriteLine("Customer Phone : {0}",
cus.phone.ToString());
}
if (cus.ReferalCustomer != null)
{
Console.WriteLine("Customer Referal: {0}",
cus.ReferalCustomer.Name);

if (cus.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer != null)
{
refCustomer1 = cus.ReferalCustomer.Name;
refCustomer2 = cus.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer.Name;
Console.WriteLine("{0} referal is {1}", refCustomer1,
refCustomer2);

if (cus.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer != null)
{
refCustomer1 = cus.ReferalCustomer.Name;
refCustomer2 = cus.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer.Name;
refCustomer3 =
cus.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer.ReferalCustomer.Name;
Console.WriteLine("{0} refer to {1} whose refer to {2}",
refCustomer1, refCustomer2, refCustomer3);
}
}

}

Console.WriteLine("Press Any Key To continue...");
Console.ReadKey();
}
}
}
}


Using the Initializers with Different Framework Versions

12




Framework Versions.

Examining the Generated initialization instructions Field

10. Open Visual Studio 2008 Command Prompt from the Start -> Programs ->
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 -> Visual Studio Tools.

11. On the Command Prompt change the directory to C:LabsModule02Lab02binDebug
and then type ILdasm Module02Lab02.exe, the IL Disassembler will show the
generated initialization instructions under the class Student.

13


Implicit Typing

Implicit Typing Overview:

The new C# compiler can infers the type of variables by using the new keyword var to
declare the variables. When using the var keyword the compiler will check the right side of
the initialization statement, and it will determines and assigns the most appropriate type.
The var keyword doesn’t act like the Variant in Visual Basic 6.0 and COM programming,
declaring instances using Variant results in loosely typed object, but var gives you a strong
typed object.

Implicit Typing Contexts:

The var keyword can be used in the following contexts:
1. Declaring variable at the method/property scope
static void Main(string[] args)
{
var i = 10;
var strName = "GeeksConnected";
}

2. In a for loop statement.
for (var intCounter = 0; intCounter < length; intCounter++) {…}

3. In a foreach loop statement.
foreach (var item in collection) {…}
4. In a using statement.
using (var sr = new StreamWriter("...")){…}

14


Implicit Typing Rules:

1. When declaring any variable using var, the value of variable must be initialized.
var intNum;//illegal...
var intNum = 10; ;//allowed

2. It’s illegal to declare variables using var at the class scope or using it as field.
class Module02Lab03
{
var intNum;//illegal...

3. var is not considered as a keyword, so its allowed to use it as an instance name, but in
this case it’s not allowed to use var in the same scope.
{
string var;
var i = 10;

4. It’s illegal to use variables declared using var in initialization expressions.
var intNumber = intNumber + 10;

5. Implicit typed variables cannot be used as return value or parameters.
public var GetCustomerInformation(var CustomerNum) {…}

15


Lab 3: Using Implicit Typing

 Using implicit-typed variables.
 Using implicit typing with foreach context.
 Using implicit typing with custom classes and lists.
 Using Implicit Typing with multi-framework versions.
 Examining the types of the implicit-typed variables.

Using the Implicit Typing


Project Types box.


OK.


using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

{

16


class Module02Lab03
{
class Student
{
public long RegID { get; set; }

public Student()
{

}
}

{
var st1RegID = 10;
var st1Name = "Hikmet";
var st1Company = "ABC";

var st1 = new Student();
st1.RegID = st1RegID;
st1.Name = st1Name;
st1.Company = st1Company;

var Students = new List<Student>
{
new Student { RegID = 1, Company = "XYZ", Name = "Muhannad"},
new Student { RegID = 1, Company = "ABC", Name = "Mohamed"},
new Student { RegID = 1, Company = "GP", Name = "Osama"},
new Student { RegID = 1, Company = "MS", Name = "Ahmed"},
new Student { RegID = 1, Company = "East", Name = "Omar"},
};
Students.Add(st1);

Console.WriteLine("Types Information");
Console.WriteLine("=================");
Console.WriteLine(st1RegID.GetType().ToString());
Console.WriteLine(st1Name.GetType().ToString());
Console.WriteLine(st1Company.GetType().ToString());
Console.WriteLine(st1.GetType().ToString());
Console.WriteLine(Students.GetType().ToString());

Console.WriteLine("Press Any Key To Continue..");
Console.ReadKey();

Console.WriteLine("Students Information");
Console.WriteLine("=================");
foreach (var item in Students)
{
Console.WriteLine("Name : {0}",item.Name);
Console.WriteLine("ID : {0}",item.RegID);
Console.WriteLine("Company: {0}", item.Company);
Console.WriteLine("n");
}

Console.WriteLine("Press Any Key To Exit...");
Console.ReadKey();

}

}
}

17



Using the Initializers with Different Framework Versions



Framework Versions.

18


Extension Methods

Extension Methods Overview:

Extension Methods feature allows the developer to inject new methods and functionalities to
the existing compiled types (classes, interfaces implementation, structures), without the need
to re-write or override the current implementations.
One of the most useful examples that show the powerful of extension methods is the LINQ
operators that add different query functionalities to the existing System.Collections.IEnumerable,
and System.Collections.Generic.IEnumerable(T) types, such as OrdeyBy and Average operators.
Extension Methods are natively supported in the Visual Studio 2008 development
environment which provides an intellisense support in the code editor.

Defining Extension Methods:

The following guidelines illustrate how to define extension methods:
1. The extension methods must be defined in separated static class.
2. The extension methods must be declared as static methods.
3. The first parameter modifier of the extension methods must be this keyword.

The following example illustrates how to declare extension method:
public static class Extensions
{
public static void print (this string s)
{
Console.WriteLine(s);
}
}

19


Extension Methods Limitations:

The following limitations must be considered while implementing the extension methods:
1. The extension methods cannot be declared in generic or nested static classes.
2. The extension methods cannot be used to create properties, operators, or events.
3. Types can be extended only in .NET Framework 3.5

20


Lab 4: Using Extension Methods

 Extending types with extension methods.
 Consuming extension methods.
 Extending different .NET Framework built-in types.

Implementing and using extension methods


Project Types box.


OK.


using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

{

{
public long RegID { get; set; }

21


public string Email { get; set; }

public Student()
{

}

public override string ToString()
{
return Name;
}
}

public static class Extensions
{
public static void Print (this string str)
{
Console.WriteLine(str);
}

public static void Print(this List<Student> sts)
{
foreach (var st in sts)
{
Console.WriteLine(st.ToString());
}
}

public static void PrintInformation(this List<Student> sts)
{
string strLine = "{0} In Company {1} with Reg ID {2}";

Console.WriteLine("Students Information:");
{

Console.WriteLine(strLine,st.Name,st.Company,st.RegID);

}
}

public static void PrintEmails(this List<Student> sts)
{
string strLine = "Name: {0} Email: {1}";

Console.WriteLine("Students Emails:");
{

Console.WriteLine(strLine, st.Name, st.Email);

}
}
}

class Module02Lab04
{

{

var Students = new List<Student>
{

22


new Student { RegID = 1, Company = "SevenSeas",
Email = "Muhannad@SevenSeas.Com", Name = "Muhannad"},
new Student { RegID = 2, Company = "Dimensions",
Email = "Mohamed@EastMed", Name = "Mohamed"},
new Student { RegID = 3, Company = "EastMed",
Email = "Osama", Name = "Osama"},
new Student { RegID = 4, Company = "SharpMinds",
Email = "Ahmed@SharpMinds.Com", Name = "Ahmed"},
new Student { RegID = 5, Company = "LeadingPoints",
Email = "Omar@LeadingPointss.Com", Name = "Omar"}
};

Console.WriteLine("Students Names:");
Console.WriteLine("===============");
Students.Print();

Console.WriteLine("Press Any Key To Continue...");
Console.ReadKey();

Students.PrintInformation();

Console.ReadKey();

Students.PrintEmails();

Console.ReadKey();
}

}

}

23


Lambda Expressions

Lambda Expressions Overview:

Lambda Expressions are the natural evolution of writing functions as expressions from
Delegates in C# 1.0 to Anonymous methods in C# 2.0 to the new technique in C# 3.0 the
Lambda expression, which can be used in expression context instead of writing it the regular
method body with a name.

The following example illustrates how to write lambda expressions:
sts = Students.FindAll(s => s.Company == "Microsoft");

Lambda expression must be written in the left side of the statement, and it consists of two
sides separated by the lambda operator => “goes to”, the left side specifies the parameters if
any, and the right side holds the statement block or the expression.

Lambda Expressions Limitations:

The following limitations must be considered while writing the lambda expressions:
1. It can be only used as a part of statement.
2. The lambda expression does not have a name.
3. Lambda expression cannot contain a goto statement, break statement, or continue
statement whose target is outside the body.

24


Lab 5: Writing Expression Methods

 Writing lambda expressions
 Using the Lambda expressions.
 Understanding the different in writing expressions using delegates, anonymous methods,
and lambda expressions.

Implementing and using extension methods


Project Types box.


OK.


using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

{

25


{
public Student()
{
}

public string ID { get; set; }
}

class Program
{
{
List<Student> Students = new List<Student>
{
new Student{Name = "Muhanad", Company = "Microsoft"},
new Student{Name = "Ayman", Company = "Microsoft"},
new Student{Name = "Samer", Company = "Athena"},
new Student{Name = "Ahmad", Company = "Beat"}
};

List<Student> sts = new List<Student>();

// classical programming....
foreach (Student std in Students)
{
if (std.Company == "Microsoft")
{
sts.Add(std);
}
}

PrintStudents(sts);

//C# 1.1 Delegates
sts.Clear();
sts = Students.FindAll(new Predicate<Student>(MicrosoftEmployees));
PrintStudents(sts);

//C# 2.0 Anonymous Method
sts.Clear();
sts = Students.FindAll(delegate(Student st)
{ return st.Company == "Microsoft"; });
PrintStudents(sts);

//C# 3.0: Lambda Expression
sts.Clear();
sts = Students.FindAll(s => s.Company == "Microsoft");
PrintStudents(sts);

}

static bool MicrosoftEmployees(Student st)
{
if (st.Company == "Microsoft")
{
return true;
}

26


else
{
return false;
}
}

static void PrintStudents(List<Student> Students)
{
Console.WriteLine("Microsoft Employees");
Console.WriteLine("===================");
foreach (Student st in Students)
{
Console.WriteLine(st.Name);

}
Console.ReadKey();

}

}

}

27


Summary

In this module, we explored the some of the main enhancements over the C# 3.0 Language,
and we find how this new enhancements can increase the developers productivity, and how
some of it can be work smoothly with the previous versions of the .NET Framework.
Basically C# 3.0 is about productivity, and its created to enable the functionality of the
Language Integrated Query (Linq) in .NET Framework 3.5, C# 3.0 new syntax adds more
functional touch to the language, and allows the developer to become more dynamic and
productive by using some features like Auto-Implemented Properties, Extension Methods,
Initializers, and the Lambda Expression.
In the next module we will learn how all of these enhancements enable the use of .NET
Framework 3.5 LINQ.

28


References

1. Microsoft Site (http://www.microsoft.com)
2. Microsoft Developer Network (http://msdn.microsoft.com)
3. Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Training Kit
4. Microsoft C# 3.0 Hands-On Lab
5. C# Language Specification Version 3.0
6. Scott Guthrie’s Blog (http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/)
7. Scott Hanselman’s Blog(http://www.hanselman.com/)

29

Module 2: C# 3.0 Language Enhancements (Material)

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