C# 4.0 How-To

Chapter 2. Creating Versatile Types

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Format a Type with ToString()

• Make Types Equatable

• Make Types Hashable with GetHashCode()

• Make Types Sortable

• Give Types an Index

• Notify Clients when Changes Happen

• Overload Appropriate Operators

• Convert One Type to Another

• Prevent Inheritance

• Allow Value Type to Be Null

Whenever you create your own classes, you need to consider the circumstances under which they could be used. For example, will two instances of your Item struct ever be compared for equality? Will your Person class need to be serializable, or sortable?

Note

Versatility means being able to do many things well. When you’re creating your own types, it means outfitting your objects with enough “extra” stuff ...