Implementing the `IDumpable` Interface in C#: Creating a Custom Interface for Debugging and Data Inspection

Learn how to create and use a custom `IDumpable` interface in C# to provide a human-readable representation of object states. This tutorial demonstrates the implementation of `IDumpable`, its use in debugging and data inspection, and best practices for designing custom interfaces.

Implementing the `IDumpable` Interface in C#

This article explains how to create and use a custom interface called `IDumpable` in C#. This interface defines a contract for objects that can provide a human-readable representation of their internal state.

Purpose of `IDumpable`

The `IDumpable` interface is designed to enforce a contract on classes that need to provide a string representation of their data. The `Dump()` method within the interface facilitates this. This is particularly helpful for debugging, logging, or any situation where you need to easily inspect an object's contents.

Real-World Example: A Car's Drive Mode

Imagine a program controlling different types of vehicles. The `IDumpable` interface could be used to get information about how each vehicle is being driven (petrol, diesel, etc.).

`IDumpable` Interface Definition

Here's a sample definition of the `IDumpable` interface. It includes a `DriveCmd` enumeration (defining the types of commands), the interface itself with a `Cmd` property and a `Dump()` method. Note that the `DriveCmd` enum and interface are defined as `public` for accessibility.

public enum DriveCmd { Using_PETROL, Using_DIESEL, Using_CNG, Using_ELECTRIC }

public interface IDumpable {
    DriveCmd Cmd { get; set; }
    void Dump();
}

Example Implementation

This example shows several classes (vehicles) implementing the `IDumpable` interface. Each class provides its own `Dump()` method to output its information in a user-friendly format.

// ... (DriveCmd enum and IDumpable interface definitions) ...

public class BMW : IDumpable { //Example Class
    // ... (implementation of IDumpable) ...
}

// ... (similar implementations for TRACTOR, TUCSON, WAGONR classes) ...

// ... (Main method to test the classes) ...