Classes, Properties & Records

Auto-properties { get; set; }, primary constructors, and immutable record types

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C# combines traditional Object-Oriented classes with modern immutable record types designed for clean data modeling.

Classes vs Records

Auto-Properties: public string Title { get; set; } eliminates manual backing fields.

init accessor: Allows properties to be set during object initialization only, enforcing immutability thereafter.

record: A lightweight reference type with built-in value-based equality and non-destructive mutation via with expressions.

C# 12 Primary Constructors and Records

Try It Yourself »

// One-line immutable record with value-based equality!
public record Course(string Title, int LessonCount, string Level);

public class Program {
    public static void Main() {
        var c1 = new Course("C# Cloud Architecture", 10, "Advanced");
        Console.WriteLine(c1);

        // Non-destructive mutation with 'with' expression
        var c2 = c1 with { Level = "Master" };
        Console.WriteLine(c2);

        // Value equality (checks properties, not memory address!)
        Console.WriteLine(c1 == c2); // False
    }
}

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Test Yourself With Exercise

+15 XP

What expression in C# creates an immutable copy of a `record` with specific modified properties?

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