C# Delegate Inference

In C#, delegate inference allows us to assign a method or a lambda directly to a delegate instance without explicitly creating a delegate object. The compiler automatically determines the appropriate delegate type. Delegate inference helps to improve the code readability and maintainability in C#.

In the C# programming language , a delegate is a type that holds a reference to a method. It acts similarly to a function pointer in C and C++ . It allows methods to be passed as parameters, assigned to variables , and invoked dynamically at runtime. It is very useful to implement events in C#.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax.

delegate ReturnType DelegateName (ParameterList);

DelegateName variableName = MethodName;

In this syntax,

• ✅ delegate: The delegate is the keyword that is used to declare a delegate.
• ✅ ReturnType: It represents the type of value that is returned to the method, such as int, void, string, etc.
• ✅ DelegateName: It represents the name of the delegate.
• ✅ ParameterList: It defines the input parameters of the method, such as int x, int y, etc.

Simple C# Delegate Inference Example

Let us take an illustrative example to demonstrate the delegate inference in C#.

Example

using System;

delegate void del(string msg); 

class C# Tutorial

{

    static void show(string m)

    {

        Console.WriteLine(m);

    }

    static void Main()

    {

        del d = show;  

        // Calling delegate

        d("Delegate inference example. ");

    }

}

Output:

Delegate inference example.

Explanation:

In this example, we define a delegate named del and a method named show that matches the delegate's parameter. Inside the main method, we initialize the delegate d by assigning it to the show method. Finally, we call the delegate to the show method and print the output.

C# Delegate Example without Inference

Let us take an illustrative example to define the delegate without inference in C#.

Example

using System;

delegate void del(string msg); 

class C# Tutorial

{

    static void mess(string m)

    {

        Console.WriteLine(m);

    }	

    static void Main()

    {

        del d = new del(mess);

        // Calling delegate

        d("Delegate example without inference.");

    }

}

Output:

Delegate example without inference.

Explanation:

In this example, we define a delegate named del that takes a single string parameter and returns void. After that, we define a method mess that matches the delegate's parameter. Inside the main method, we create a delegate instance using the new keyword. Finally, we call the delegate to the mess method and print the output.

Important Points of Delegate Inference:

Delegate Inference has several main points in C#. Some of them are as follows:

• ✅ The delegate inference allows a method to delegate without using the new keyword.
• ✅ The compiler automatically links the delegate to the method with the same signature.
• ✅ Delegate inference has a clearer syntax and was introduced in C# 2.0.
• ✅ Delegate inference works with both static and instance methods.
• ✅ Delegate inference improves the readability of code without compromising safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a delegate inference allows us to assign a method or a lambda directly to a delegate instance without explicitly creating a delegate object. It makes the code cleaner and easier to write. It reduces the extra syntax and allows the developers to write more readable and maintainable code.

C# Delegate Inference FAQs

1) What is delegate inference in C#?

In C#, a delegate inference allows us to assign a method or a lambda directly to a delegate instance without explicitly creating a delegate object. The compiler automatically determines the appropriate delegate type. It improves the readability of code when we work with a delegate.

2) What is a Delegate in C#?

A delegate is a type that holds a reference to a method. It functions similarly to a function pointer in C and C++. It offers a more secure, type-safe, and object-oriented approach.

3) How do we invoke a delegate inference in C#?

In C#, we invoke a delegate inference by assigning a method directly to the delegate without using the new keyword. The compiler automatically links the delegate to the method with the same signature.

MyDelegate d = MethodName;

d ("Delegate inference. ");

4) Why use a delegate in C#?

In C#, a delegate is a type that holds a reference to a method. It helps to make the code more flexible and easier to change. It allows the method to be executed at a later time.

5) What is the syntax of delegate inference in C#?

It has the following syntax.

delegate ReturnType DelegateName (ParameterList);

DelegateName variableName = MethodName;