What are the best practices for using collections in C#?

What are the best practices for using collections in C#?

When using collections in C#, consider using the appropriate collection type for your needs, such as List, Dictionary, or HashSet.

Can you explain when to use a List versus a Dictionary?

Use a List when you need an ordered collection of items and don't require key-value pairs. Use a Dictionary when you need fast lookups by a unique key.

What about performance considerations?

Performance can vary; for example, accessing an element in a List is O(1), while searching in a List is O(n). In contrast, Dictionary lookups are O(1) on average.

Are there any specific methods or properties I should be aware of?

Yes, familiarize yourself with methods like Add, Remove, and Clear for Lists, and TryGetValue for Dictionaries to handle data efficiently.