Session 6: In-Depth Explanation

Lecture Topics:

• Reference and Value Types
• Value Types
  • struct
  • enum
• out and ref
• Nullable Types
• Nullable Reference Types
• ?? and ??=
• Working with Arrays (Single, Multidimensional, Jagged), Array Class Members
• Indices and Ranges
• Indexers

Lab:

• Lab based on array examples.
• Also create an array of the class created in Lab 1.

Lecture: Detailed Explanation

1. Reference and Value Types

.NET categorizes types into reference types and value types, which differ in how they are stored and managed.

• Reference Types:

  • Stored on the managed heap, with variables holding references (pointers) to the data.

  • Examples: Classes, interfaces, delegates, strings, arrays, object.

  • Behavior:

    • Assigned by reference (copying the reference, not the data).
    • Garbage-collected when no longer referenced.

  • Example:

    public class Employee
    {
        public string Name { get; set; }
    }
    Employee emp1 = new Employee { Name = "Alice" };
    Employee emp2 = emp1; // emp2 references same object
    emp2.Name = "Bob";
    Console.WriteLine(emp1.Name); // Outputs: Bob