C# 7 Readonly References

Before C# 7.2, we did not have an efficient way of expressing a desire to pass struct variables into method calls for readonly purposes with no intention of modifying.

• When you pass an argument by-value, it will create another copy which adds unnecessary costs.
• To pass by-ref argument rely on documentation to indicate that the data is not supposed to be mutated by the callee.

In C# 7.2, a new parameter passing mode called the in parameter is introduced. It provides mechanisms that enable safe efficient code using references to value types. Use these features wisely to minimize both allocations and copy operations.

• The in keyword complements the existing ref and out keywords to pass arguments by reference.
• The in keyword specifies passing the argument by reference, but the called method doesn't modify the value.

private static void Print(in int val)
{
    int y = val;
    Console.WriteLine(y);

    y = y + 10;
    Console.WriteLine(y);
    Console.WriteLine(val);
}

As you can see that the variable val is passed as the in parameter and it is used by the Print function without any modification and used as readonly. Now if you try to modify the val inside the Print function as shown below.

private static void Print(in int val)
{
    int y = val;
    Console.WriteLine(y);          

    y = y + 10;
    Console.WriteLine(y);

    val = val + 10;              //Error
    Console.WriteLine(val);        
}

You will see the following error.

Error CS8331 Cannot assign to variable 'in int' because it is a readonly variable