Pass either List or string[ ] array to a C# method

Question

I have the following method in my C# class.

For the parameter called 'collections' I would like to have the flexibility of either passing a List or string[ ] array. I know I could simply set the parameter type as object type, but is there any other more efficient type I could use to do this?

public string ProcessDoc(List<string> collections, string userName)
{
  //code goes here
   string result = null;
   ...
   ...
   return result;
}

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:00

7

You could use IList<string>:

public string ProcessDoc(IList<string> collections, string userName)
{
  //code goes here
   string result = null;
   ...
   ...
   return result;
}

Why array implements IList?

edited May 23 '17 at 12:00

Community

1
1

answered Mar 29 '14 at 16:27

Tim Schmelter

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So I could just pass an array like ProcessDoc( new string[] {"x", "y","z"}, "sun") ? – Sunil Mar 29 '14 at 16:29
Ok. So Array and List implement IList interface, and that is the reason we can use IList in this case. Thanks. – Sunil Mar 29 '14 at 16:31
4

If indexer is not a requirement then `IEnumerable` is more encompassing alternative. – Dialecticus Mar 29 '14 at 16:31
1

@Dialecticus, I need the indexer in my C# method. – Sunil Mar 29 '14 at 16:32
1

@Dialecticus: i wanted to give the highest common factor, also `IList` implements `IEnumerable`. – Tim Schmelter Mar 29 '14 at 16:34

Pass either List or string[ ] array to a C# method

1 Answers1