C# - use fields and methods without repeating the object name each time

Question

I've just started learning C#. A common issue I have is when I am working with an object instance and want to access/assign multiple fields then I have to call the object name each time. I come from a background in Delphi and I was wondering if C# has something similar to with..do block.

For example. Let's say I had School Class with fields Name and Address

In Delphi, I could do the following

mySchool = School.new();
with mySchool do
begin
 Name := 'School Name';
 Address := 'School Address';
end

The compiler would understand that Name and Address are being called on the mySchool object.

Whereas in C# I have to do the following

mySchool = new School();
mySchool.Name = "School Name";
mySchool.Address = "School Address";

I was just wondering if there is a language construct similar to the Delphi one above that would eliminate the need for me to type out the object name repeatedly.

I know in this example is rather trivial and I should rather use a parameterized constructor but my question is for times when I am doing a multitude of things with the same object and having such a language construct would save me quite a bit of typing.

Also, I'm vaguely aware of namespacing although, my understanding is that you can't use an object/variable as a namespace. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You create the class, on the constructor you specify may the passed arguments on the brackets be instantiated as attrs. I'm not super savy on c# since i hate microsoft and i only use C# for unity, but since its quite similar to python/java etc it shall be something similar to this class School(Name, Address){ #unsure if you require to call a constructor method or this is sufficient** str Name = this.Name; str Address = this.Address; return School #you may not need to return the class object mySchool = new School("Hogwarts", "Somewhere Lane") — Mr-Programs, Aug 31 '18 at 13:59

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 31 '18 at 13:52

1

You could use an object initializer in this case:

var mySchool = new School
{
    Name = "School Name",
    Address = "School Address"
};

answered Aug 31 '18 at 13:52

rory.ap

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This is helpful, although what about if I wanted to simply use the object multiple times consecutively. – Ansaar Dollie Aug 31 '18 at 13:54

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 31 '18 at 14:13

I think that the selected answer doesn't give you what you asked for.

By using object initializer, you will still have to manually type properties' names every time.

A constructor is what you're looking for:

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        School school1 = new School("School Name", "School Address");
    }
}

public class School
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public string Address { get; set; }

    public School(string name, string address)
    {
        this.Name = name;
        this.Address = address;
    }
}

C# - use fields and methods without repeating the object name each time

2 Answers2