dotnet-csharp-modern-patterns

Modern C# language feature guidance adapted to the project's target framework. Always run [skill:dotnet-version-detection] first to determine TFM and C# version.

Cross-references: [skill:dotnet-csharp-coding-standards] for naming/style conventions, [skill:dotnet-csharp-async-patterns] for async-specific patterns.

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Quick Reference: TFM to C# Version

TFM	C#	Key Language Features
net8.0	12	Primary constructors, collection expressions, alias any type
net9.0	13	params collections, Lock type, partial properties
net10.0	14	field keyword, extension blocks, nameof unbound generics
net11.0	15 (preview)	Collection expression with() arguments

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Records

Use records for immutable data transfer objects, value semantics, and domain modeling where equality is based on values rather than identity.

Record Classes (reference type)

// Positional record: concise, immutable, value equality
public record OrderSummary(int OrderId, decimal Total, DateOnly OrderDate);

// With additional members
public record Customer(string Name, string Email)
{
    public string DisplayName => $"{Name} <{Email}>";
}

Record Structs (value type, C# 10+)

// Positional record struct: value type with value semantics
public readonly record struct Point(double X, double Y);

// Mutable record struct (rare -- prefer readonly)
public record struct MutablePoint(double X, double Y);

When to Use Records vs Classes

Use Case	Prefer
DTOs, API responses	record
Domain value objects (Money, Email)	readonly record struct
Entities with identity (User, Order)	class
High-throughput, small data	readonly record struct
Inheritance needed	record (class-based)

Non-destructive Mutation

var updated = order with { Total = order.Total + tax };

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Primary Constructors (C# 12+, net8.0+)

Capture constructor parameters directly in the class/struct body. Parameters become available throughout the type but are not fields or properties -- they are captured state.

For Services (DI injection)

public class OrderService(IOrderRepository repo, ILogger<OrderService> logger)
{
    public async Task<Order> GetAsync(int id)
    {
        logger.LogInformation("Fetching order {OrderId}", id);
        return await repo.GetByIdAsync(id);
    }
}

Gotchas

• Primary constructor parameters are mutable captures, not readonly fields. If immutability matters, assign to a readonly field in the body.
• Do not use primary constructors when you need to validate parameters at construction time -- use a traditional constructor with guard clauses instead.
• For records, positional parameters become public properties automatically. For classes/structs, they remain private captures.

// Explicit readonly field when immutability matters
public class Config(string connectionString)
{
    private readonly string _connectionString = connectionString
        ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(connectionString));
}

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Collection Expressions (C# 12+, net8.0+)

Unified syntax for creating collections with [...].

// Array
int[] numbers = [1, 2, 3];

// List
List<string> names = ["Alice", "Bob"];

// Span
ReadOnlySpan<byte> bytes = [0x00, 0xFF];

// Spread operator
int[] combined = [..first, ..second, 99];

// Empty collection
List<int> empty = [];

Collection Expression with Arguments (C# 15 preview, net11.0+)

Specify capacity, comparers, or other constructor arguments:

// Capacity hint
List<int> nums = [with(capacity: 1000), ..Generate()];

// Custom comparer
HashSet<string> set = [with(comparer: StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase), "Alice", "bob"];

// Dictionary with comparer
Dictionary<string, int> map = [with(comparer: StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase),
    new("key1", 1), new("key2", 2)];

net11.0+ only. Requires <LangVersion>preview</LangVersion>. Do not use on earlier TFMs.

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Pattern Matching

Switch Expressions (C# 8+)

string GetDiscount(Customer customer) => customer switch
{
    { Tier: "Gold", YearsActive: > 5 } => "30%",
    { Tier: "Gold" } => "20%",
    { Tier: "Silver" } => "10%",
    _ => "0%"
};

List Patterns (C# 11+)

bool IsValid(int[] data) => data is [> 0, .., > 0]; // first and last positive

string Describe(int[] values) => values switch
{
    [] => "empty",
    [var single] => $"single: {single}",
    [var first, .., var last] => $"range: {first}..{last}"
};

Type and Property Patterns

decimal CalculateShipping(object package) => package switch
{
    Letter { Weight: < 50 } => 0.50m,
    Parcel { Weight: var w } when w < 1000 => 5.00m + w * 0.01m,
    Parcel { IsOversized: true } => 25.00m,
    _ => 10.00m
};

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required Members (C# 11+)

Force callers to initialize properties at construction via object initializers.

public class UserDto
{
    public required string Name { get; init; }
    public required string Email { get; init; }
    public string? Phone { get; init; }
}

// Compiler enforces Name and Email
var user = new UserDto { Name = "Alice", Email = "alice@example.com" };

Useful for DTOs that need to be deserialized (System.Text.Json honors required in .NET 8+).

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field Keyword (C# 14, net10.0+)

Access the compiler-generated backing field directly in property accessors.

public class TemperatureSensor
{
    public double Reading
    {
        get => field;
        set => field = value >= -273.15
            ? value
            : throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(value));
    }
}

Replaces the manual pattern of declaring a private field plus a property with custom logic. Use when you need validation or transformation in a setter without a separate backing field.

net10.0+ only. On earlier TFMs, use a traditional private field.

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Extension Blocks (C# 14, net10.0+)

Group extension members for a type in a single block.

public static class EnumerableExtensions
{
    extension<T>(IEnumerable<T> source) where T : class
    {
        public IEnumerable<T> WhereNotNull()
            => source.Where(x => x is not null);

        public bool IsEmpty()
            => !source.Any();
    }
}

net10.0+ only. On earlier TFMs, use traditional static extension methods.

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Alias Any Type (using, C# 12+, net8.0+)

using Point = (double X, double Y);
using UserId = System.Guid;

Point origin = (0, 0);
UserId id = UserId.NewGuid();

Useful for tuple aliases and domain type aliases without creating a full type.

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params Collections (C# 13, net9.0+)

params now supports additional collection types beyond arrays, including Span<T>, ReadOnlySpan<T>, and types implementing certain collection interfaces.

public void Log(params ReadOnlySpan<string> messages)
{
    foreach (var msg in messages)
        Console.WriteLine(msg);
}

// Callers: compiler may avoid heap allocation with span-based params
Log("hello", "world");

net9.0+ only. On net8.0, params only supports arrays.

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Lock Type (C# 13, net9.0+)

Use System.Threading.Lock instead of object for locking.

private readonly Lock _lock = new();

public void DoWork()
{
    lock (_lock)
    {
        // thread-safe operation
    }
}

Lock provides a Scope-based API for advanced scenarios and is more expressive than lock (object).

net9.0+ only. On net8.0, use private readonly object _gate = new(); and lock (_gate).

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Partial Properties (C# 13, net9.0+)

Partial properties enable source generators to define property signatures that users implement, or vice versa.

// In generated file
public partial class ViewModel
{
    public partial string Name { get; set; }
}

// In user file
public partial class ViewModel
{
    private string _name = "";
    public partial string Name
    {
        get => _name;
        set => SetProperty(ref _name, value);
    }
}

net9.0+ only. See [skill:dotnet-csharp-source-generators] for generator patterns.

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nameof for Unbound Generic Types (C# 14, net10.0+)

string name = nameof(List<>);      // "List"
string name2 = nameof(Dictionary<,>); // "Dictionary"

Useful in logging, diagnostics, and reflection scenarios.

net10.0+ only.

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Polyfill Guidance for Multi-Targeting

When targeting multiple TFMs, newer language features may not compile on older targets. Use these approaches:

1. PolySharp -- Polyfills compiler-required types (IsExternalInit, RequiredMemberAttribute, etc.) so language features like init, required, and record work on older TFMs.
2. Polyfill -- Polyfills runtime APIs (e.g., string.Contains(char) for netstandard2.0).
3. Conditional compilation -- Use #if for features that cannot be polyfilled:

#if NET10_0_OR_GREATER
    // Use field keyword
    public double Value { get => field; set => field = Math.Max(0, value); }
#else
    private double _value;
    public double Value { get => _value; set => _value = Math.Max(0, value); }
#endif

See [skill:dotnet-multi-targeting] for comprehensive polyfill guidance.

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Knowledge Sources

Feature guidance in this skill is grounded in publicly available language design rationale from:

• C# Language Design Notes (Mads Torgersen et al.) -- Design decisions behind each C# version's features. Key rationale relevant to this skill: primary constructors (reducing boilerplate for DI-heavy services), collection expressions (unifying collection initialization syntax), field keyword (eliminating backing field ceremony), and extension blocks (grouping extensions by target type). Each feature balances expressiveness with safety -- e.g., primary constructor parameters are intentionally mutable captures (not readonly) to keep the feature simple; use explicit readonly fields when immutability is needed. Source: https://github.com/dotnet/csharplang/tree/main/meetings
• C# Language Proposals Repository -- Detailed specifications and design rationale for accepted and proposed features. Source: https://github.com/dotnet/csharplang/tree/main/proposals

Note: This skill applies publicly documented design rationale. It does not represent or speak for the named sources.

References

• C# Language Reference
• What's new in C# 12
• What's new in C# 13
• What's new in C# 14
• C# Language Design Notes
• .NET Framework Design Guidelines