Session 7: In-Depth Explanation

Lecture Topics:

• Generic Classes
• Generic Methods
• Generic Constraints
• Collections – Generic and Non-Generic
• Collection Examples based on ICollection, IList, IDictionary (both generic and non-generic)
• Iterating Collections using foreach
• Using Tuples to Pass Multiple Values to a Function

Lab:

• Lab based on collection examples.
• Also create a collection of the class created in Lab 1.

Lecture: Detailed Explanation

1. Generic Classes

Generic classes allow type-safe, reusable code by parameterizing types.

• Definition:

  • Declared with type parameters using <T>.

  • Example:

    public class GenericBox<T>
    {
        public T Item { get; set; }
        public GenericBox(T item) => Item = item;
        public void Display() => Console.WriteLine($"Item: {Item}");
    }
    GenericBox<int> intBox = new GenericBox<int>(42);
    GenericBox<string> stringBox = new GenericBox<string>("Hello");
    intBox.Display(); // Outputs: Item: 42
    stringBox.Display(); // Outputs: Item: Hello
    
    

• Key Points:

  • Type-safe: No boxing/unboxing for value types.
  • Reusable: Works with any type (e.g., int, string, custom classes).
  • Common in .NET (e.g., List<T>, Dictionary<TKey, TValue>).

• Why This Matters:

  • Generic classes improve performance and type safety, reducing runtime errors.