What are the benefits of using generics in C#?

What are the benefits of using generics in C#?

Generics in C# provide type safety, code reusability, and performance improvements. They allow you to define classes, methods, and interfaces with a placeholder for the data type.

Can you explain how generics improve type safety?

Sure! Generics enforce compile-time type checking, which means errors related to type mismatches are caught early, reducing runtime errors.

What about performance improvements? How do generics help with that?

Generics reduce the need for boxing and unboxing when using value types, which can significantly enhance performance, especially in large collections.

Are there any downsides to using generics?

While generics are powerful, they can add complexity to your code and may lead to longer compile times. It's important to use them judiciously.

Can you give an example of a generic class?

Certainly! Here's a simple example: public class GenericList<T> { private List<T> items = new List<T>(); public void Add(T item) { items.Add(item); } } This class can store any type of items.