C# Generics

C# Generics

In C# generics means not specific to a particular data type. We can define type-safe data structures without the specific data type. It helps significant performance boost and higher quality code because we get to reuse data processing algorithms without duplication of type-specific code.

The generic class can be defined with angle <> brackets. In C# we can define generic classes, interfaces, abstract classes, fields, methods, static methods, properties, events, delegates, etc.

Let’s see an example with single parameter in generic class.

 
using System;

namespace ConsoleAppDemo
{

    class DataProcess {
        public T Data { get; set; }
    }

    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            //Assign value with string data type
            DataProcess dataProcess = new DataProcess();
            dataProcess.Data = "Data is processing";

            //Assign value with int data type
            DataProcess dataProcess1 = new DataProcess();
            dataProcess1.Data = 100;


            Console.ReadKey();
        }
    }
}

Let's see another example with multiple parameters in generic class.

 
using System;

namespace ConsoleAppDemo
{

    class DataProcess<TKey, TValue> {
        public TKey DataKey { get; set; }
        public TValue DataValue { get; set; }
    }

    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            DataProcess<int, string> dataProcess = new DataProcess<int, string>();
            dataProcess.DataKey = 1;
            dataProcess.DataValue = "Software Engineer";

            DataProcess<string, string> dataProcess1 = new DataProcess<string, string>();
            dataProcess1.DataKey = "SE";
            dataProcess1.DataValue = "Software Engineer";


            Console.ReadKey();
        }
    }
}

In the above example, we see how to define the generic class but we can also define generic interfaces, abstract classes, fields, methods, static methods, properties, events, delegates, etc.