Ref returns and locals

C# language feature:

Ref returns and locals

applies to

method return values

benefit

Allows passing and return of references from methods. Can be used to improve performance when working with large data structures.

how to use

Prefix parameter and or return value type with ref modifier.

note

ref must be mutable fields or passed by reference, also ref can be used to reference arrays elements.

example:

        ref int Get_Larger_Reference(ref int number1, ref int number2)
        {
            if (number2 > number1)
                return ref number2;
            return ref number1;
        }

        void Use_of_Ref_Example()
        {
            int a = 5, b = 8;
            int c = Get_Larger_Reference(ref a, ref b);
            c = 9;
            System.Console.WriteLine($"{a} {b} {c}"); // 5 9 9
        }

C# articles

csharp v2 +

Anonymous methods * Co- and Contra-variance for delegates * Delegate inference * Generics * Getter and setter separate accessibility * Iterators * Method group conversions (delegates) * Nullable types * Partials * Static classes *

csharp v3 +

Anonymous types * Auto-Implemented properties * Expression trees * Extension methods * Implicitly typed local variables * Lambda expression * Object and collection initializers * Partial methods * Query expressions *

csharp v4 +

Generic co- and contravariance * Named and optional arguments *

csharp v5 +

Asynchronous methods * Caller info attributes *

csharp v6 +

A note for CSharp 6 and beyond * Allow await in catch and finally blocks * Auto property initializers * Default values for Read-only Auto-properties * Dictionary (index) initializers * Exception filters * Expression-bodied members * Import of static type members into namespace * Null propagator (null-conditional operator, succinct null checking) * String interpolation * nameof operator *

csharp v7 +

Binary literals * Deconstruction * Digit separators * Expression bodied constructors and finalizers * Expression bodied getters and setters * Generalized async return types * Local functions * Out variables * Pattern matching * Ref returns and locals * Tuples *

Code-Sage