C#: why 'bool' instead of 'boolean'

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What is the difference between Bool and Boolean types in C#

Why does C# use the word bool intead of boolean for boolean types?

(I just wasted 5 mins trying to work out why my code wasn't compiling!)

Similar: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2469679/why-boolean-and-bool — AakashM, Mar 08 '11 at 08:04
Same as asking why `int` instead of `integer`. Or `struct` instead of `structure` or... — Øyvind Bråthen, Mar 08 '11 at 08:04

score 24 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:04

Presumably because that's the keyword C++ uses for its boolean type, and C# retains much of the syntax to help programmers comfortable with that language migrate more easily. Old habits die hard.

It's also shorter, which saves typing. Programmers are a notoriously lazy bunch, and for good reason.

But remember that bool is only an alias in C# for the System.Boolean type. You can certainly use Boolean instead if you prefer (but of course, you'll have to capitalize it, since C# is case-sensitive).

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:03

9

Same reason it uses int for integer. programmers are lazy. :)

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:03

jb.

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:03

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It is just the decision the language designer made, probably because it is shorter. It is also the keyword many languages use.

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:03

user623879

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:04

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Perhaps the same reason they chose int instead Integer or Int32 - a similarity with C++!

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:04

VinayC

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score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:05

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Probably because if historical reasons. bool and BOOL types were often used in C and C++ libraries that preceded C#.

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:05

kgiannakakis

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score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:06

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Because the inventor of the Boolean logic was named Bool*e* (thanks Cody). So you got Bools and boolean operators to operate on them. Makes sense, not?

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:06

GolezTrol

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Actually, he was named [Boole](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Boole). – Cody Gray - on strike Mar 08 '11 at 08:07

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:07

0

bool is simply an alias of System.Boolean - meant to save you 3 characters per declaration :)

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:07

Doron Zavelevsky

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score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:49

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Pretty much all C style languages use "bool", it's not something that's peculiar to C# by any means...

answered Mar 08 '11 at 08:49

MattDavey

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C#: why 'bool' instead of 'boolean'

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