Anonymous type in C#

Anonymous type in C#

In this article we will discuss about anonymous type in C#. This concept has introduced in C # 3.0 versions. Basically anonymous concept is used to crate data type at runtime. There is no need to create any user define data type (like class or structure) previously. In the example below we will see how to create anonymous type in C#.

Create simple anonymous type.

To create anonymous type we will use var keyword. As, we don’t know actual type of anonymous variable using new keyword we will initiate few members in anonymous type.  

using System;
using System.Collections;
using System.Xml.Linq;
using System.Linq;
using System.Collections.Generic;
 
namespace BridgeDesign
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
 
            var MyClass = new { name = "Sourav", surname = "Kayal" };
            Console.WriteLine("Name:- "+ MyClass.name);
            Console.WriteLine("Surname:- " + MyClass.surname);
 
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
    }
}

Here is sample output.

How it works in background?

Let’s discuss a little how anonymous type converts in strong type. Here a class without a name is generated with two data member. For anonymous type syntax the compiler generates a class. The class contents those variables which are declared within new block. In compile time compiler make it as strong type class and Visual Studio Intellisense supports anonymous type. Because when we try to access member of anonymous type we can get help from Intellisense like below.

 Use one anonymous type within other anonymous type

We can use one anonymous type within other anonymous type like below.

using System;
using System.Collections;
using System.Xml.Linq;
using System.Linq;
using System.Collections.Generic;
 
namespace BridgeDesign
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var MyStudent = new { name = "Sourav", surname = "Kayal" };
            var ClassRoom = new { MyStudent.name, MyStudent.surname, ClassRoom = "MCA"
       };
 
            Console.WriteLine("Student Name:- "+ ClassRoom.name);
            Console.WriteLine("Student surname:- " + ClassRoom.surname);
            Console.WriteLine("Class Name:- " + ClassRoom.ClassRoom);
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
    }
}
 

Here is sample output

Conclusion:

This is basic idea about anonymous type in c#. Hope you have understood the concept.