What are immutable objects in C# and how do they relate to design patterns?

What are immutable objects in C#?

Immutable objects are instances whose state cannot be modified after they are created. In C#, this is often achieved by making all fields readonly.

Can you give me an example of an immutable object in C#?

Sure! A simple example is a class that represents a point in 2D space:

public class Point
{
    public int X { get; }
    public int Y { get; }

    public Point(int x, int y)
    {
        X = x;
        Y = y;
    }
}

How do immutable objects relate to design patterns?

Immutable objects are often used in design patterns like the Builder pattern, where they help ensure thread safety and reduce side effects.

What are the benefits of using immutable objects?

Benefits include easier reasoning about code, improved thread safety, and reduced chances of bugs due to unintended state changes.