modern-csharp

name	modern-csharp
description	Use when adopting C# 12/13/14 features — primary constructors, collection expressions, or field keyword.
when_to_use	Use when adopting C# 12/13/14 features — primary constructors, collection expressions, or field keyword.
metadata	{"category":"core","agent":"dotnet-architect"}

Modern C# Features

Core Principles

• Use the newest language features available for the project's target framework
• Gate features by C# language version -- never emit syntax the project cannot compile
• Prefer concise, expressive constructs over verbose boilerplate
• Use records for immutable DTOs, value objects, and command/query messages
• Prefer collection expressions [..] over explicit collection initializers
• Use pattern matching to replace complex if/else chains

Version Availability Matrix

Feature                       C# Version   Min .NET
--------------------------------------------------
File-scoped namespaces        C# 10        .NET 6
Global usings                 C# 10        .NET 6
Required members              C# 11        .NET 7
Raw string literals           C# 11        .NET 7
List patterns [a, .., z]      C# 11        .NET 7
Primary constructors          C# 12        .NET 8
Collection expressions [..]   C# 12        .NET 8
Inline arrays                 C# 12        .NET 8
using aliases for generics    C# 12        .NET 8
params collections            C# 13        .NET 9
Lock object                   C# 13        .NET 9
field keyword                 C# 14        .NET 10
Extension types               C# 14        .NET 10

Patterns

Primary Constructors (.NET 8+ / C# 12)

// Services -- capture DI parameters directly
public sealed class OrderService(
    IOrderRepository repository,
    ILogger<OrderService> logger)
{
    public async Task<Order?> GetAsync(Guid id, CancellationToken ct)
    {
        logger.LogInformation("Fetching order {OrderId}", id);
        return await repository.FindAsync(id, ct);
    }
}

// Records already had primary constructors -- still the best fit for DTOs
public sealed record OrderResponse(Guid Id, string CustomerName, decimal Total);

// Structs
public readonly record struct Money(decimal Amount, string Currency);

Collection Expressions (C# 12)

// Array, List, Span -- all use [..]
int[] numbers = [1, 2, 3];
List<string> names = ["Alice", "Bob"];
ReadOnlySpan<byte> bytes = [0x00, 0xFF];

// Spread operator
List<string> merged = [..existing, ..additional, "extra"];

// Empty collection (replaces Array.Empty<T>())
int[] empty = [];

Records for Immutable DTOs and Messages

// Command message
public sealed record Create{Entity}Command(
    string Name,
    string Description) : IRequest<Result<Guid>>;

// Value object
public sealed record Address(
    string Street,
    string City,
    string PostalCode,
    string Country);

// Record struct for small value types (no heap allocation)
public readonly record struct Coordinate(double Latitude, double Longitude);

Pattern Matching

// Switch expression with property pattern
string description = order switch
{
    { Status: OrderStatus.Pending, Total: > 1000 } => "Requires approval",
    { Status: OrderStatus.Pending }                 => "Awaiting processing",
    { Status: OrderStatus.Shipped }                 => "In transit",
    { Status: OrderStatus.Delivered }               => "Complete",
    _                                                => "Unknown"
};

// List patterns (C# 11)
var result = args switch
{
    []              => "No arguments",
    [var single]    => $"One argument: {single}",
    [var first, ..] => $"Multiple arguments, first: {first}"
};

// Relational and logical patterns
bool IsValidAge(int age) => age is >= 0 and <= 150;

Raw String Literals (C# 11)

// Multi-line SQL or JSON without escaping
var sql = """
    SELECT o.Id, o.CustomerName, o.Total
    FROM Orders o
    WHERE o.Status = @Status
    ORDER BY o.CreatedAt DESC
    """;

// Interpolated raw strings
var json = $$"""
    {
        "name": "{{name}}",
        "total": {{total}}
    }
    """;

Required Members (C# 11)

public sealed class {Company}.{Domain}.Models.ProductOptions
{
    public required string Name { get; init; }
    public required decimal Price { get; init; }
    public string? Description { get; init; }
}

// Caller must set required properties
var options = new ProductOptions
{
    Name = "Widget",   // required
    Price = 9.99m      // required
    // Description is optional
};

Field Keyword (C# 14 / .NET 10+)

// Auto-property with custom validation -- no backing field declaration needed
public string Name
{
    get => field;
    set => field = value?.Trim() ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(value));
}

public int Quantity
{
    get => field;
    set => field = value >= 0 ? value : throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(value));
}

Using Aliases for Generic Types (C# 12)

using OrderList = System.Collections.Generic.List<{Company}.{Domain}.Models.Order>;
using OrderDict = System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary<System.Guid, {Company}.{Domain}.Models.Order>;

// Then use the alias
OrderList orders = [new Order(), new Order()];

File-Scoped Namespaces (C# 10)

// PREFER: file-scoped (saves one level of indentation)
namespace {Company}.{Domain}.Features.Orders;

public sealed class OrderService { }

// AVOID: block-scoped
namespace {Company}.{Domain}.Features.Orders
{
    public sealed class OrderService { }
}

Anti-Patterns

Anti-Pattern	Problem	Correct Approach
Using new List<int> { 1, 2, 3 } on C# 12+	Verbose, ignores collection expressions	[1, 2, 3]
Mutable class for DTO	Unintended mutation	sealed record
Long if/else chains for type checks	Hard to read, error-prone	Switch expression with patterns
string.Format() or $"" for multi-line SQL	Escaping issues, poor readability	Raw string literals """
field keyword on .NET 8/9 projects	Compilation error	Check <LangVersion> first
Primary constructors storing to private readonly	C-Q5: the compiler generates backing storage only when an instance member captures the primary-constructor parameter. Adding an explicit private readonly field allocates a second storage slot and double-writes both — the constructor param is then captured into the implicit field AND copied to your explicit field. Wasted memory + drift risk.	Use the captured parameter directly (e.g., IService _svc; is unnecessary if Foo(IService svc) already captures svc via a method body referencing it).
Block-scoped namespaces	Wastes indentation	File-scoped namespace X;
== null / != null comparisons	Operator overloading can break intent	is null / is not null

Detect Existing Patterns

1. Check <LangVersion> in .csproj or Directory.Build.props (preview, latest, 12, 13, 14)
2. Check <TargetFramework> for net8.0, net9.0, net10.0
3. Scan for existing primary constructor usage: class Foo( or struct Foo(
4. Look for record keyword usage in model/DTO files
5. Search for collection expressions = [ in existing code
6. Check for required modifier on properties

Adding to Existing Project

1. Verify language version -- check Directory.Build.props or .csproj for <LangVersion>
2. Start with records -- convert immutable DTOs and command/query messages to sealed record
3. Adopt primary constructors -- refactor services that only store injected dependencies
4. Replace collection initializers -- use [..] syntax on C# 12+ projects
5. Introduce pattern matching -- replace complex if/switch blocks with switch expressions
6. Use raw string literals -- for SQL queries, JSON templates, multi-line strings
7. Add file-scoped namespaces -- one-time bulk conversion via IDE or dotnet format
8. Gate new features -- only use field keyword or extension types on .NET 10+ projects

Decision Guide

Scenario	Recommendation
.NET 8 project	C# 12: primary constructors, collection expressions, records
.NET 9 project	C# 13: all above + params collections, lock object
.NET 10+ project	C# 14: all above + field keyword, extension types
Shared library targeting multiple TFMs	Use lowest common C# version across targets
New greenfield project	Use <LangVersion>latest</LangVersion> and latest TFM

References

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/whats-new/csharp-12
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/whats-new/csharp-13
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/whats-new/csharp-14