Concise C# Constructors and Finalizers: Using Expression-Bodied Syntax

Learn how to write concise and readable constructors and finalizers in C# using expression-bodied syntax. This tutorial demonstrates the `=>` operator for creating streamlined constructors and finalizers, improving code clarity and maintainability, especially for simple initialization and cleanup tasks.

Expression-Bodied Constructors and Finalizers in C#

C# allows you to define constructors and finalizers using a concise expression-bodied syntax. This can make your code more readable and easier to maintain, especially for simple constructors and finalizers.

Expression-Bodied Constructors

An expression-bodied constructor is a constructor with a single-line body. It's useful for simple constructors that only need to initialize fields. It uses the `=>` operator to define the constructor's body.

public class MyClass {
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public MyClass(string name) => Name = name; // Expression-bodied constructor
}

Example: Expression-Bodied Constructor

using System;

public class Student {
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public Student(string name) => Name = name;
}

public class Example {
    public static void Main(string[] args) {
        Student student = new Student("Alice");
        Console.WriteLine(student.Name); // Output: Alice
    }
}

Expression-Bodied Finalizers

A finalizer (destructor) performs cleanup operations when an object is garbage collected. You can also define finalizers using an expression body.

Important Considerations for Finalizers

• They only destruct class instances.
• A class can have only one finalizer.
• Finalizers cannot be overloaded or inherited.
• They are invoked automatically by the garbage collector.
• They don't take parameters.

Example: Expression-Bodied Finalizer

public class MyClass {
    ~MyClass() => Console.WriteLine("Finalizer called!"); 
}