What are variable scope and closures in C#?

What are variable scope and closures in C#?

Variable scope in C# refers to the visibility and lifetime of variables in different parts of your code. Closures are functions that capture the lexical scope in which they were defined, allowing them to access variables from that scope even when invoked outside of it.

Can you give me an example of a closure in C#?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        int outerVariable = 10;
        Func<int> closure = () => outerVariable + 5;
        Console.WriteLine(closure()); // Outputs 15
    }
}

In this example, the lambda expression captures outerVariable.

How does variable scope affect closures?

Variable scope affects closures by determining which variables are accessible within the closure. A closure can access variables from its own scope and any outer scopes, but it cannot access variables from inner scopes.

What are some common pitfalls when using closures?

Common pitfalls include unintended variable capture, where a closure captures a variable that changes before the closure is executed, leading to unexpected results. It's important to be mindful of the variable's state when defining closures.