C# Language Value type vs Reference type Difference with method parameters ref and out
Example
There are two possible ways to pass a value type by reference: ref and out. The difference is that by passing it with ref the value must be initialized but not when passing it with out. Using out ensures that the variable has a value after the method call:
public void ByRef(ref int value)
{
Console.WriteLine(nameof(ByRef) + value);
value += 4;
Console.WriteLine(nameof(ByRef) + value);
}
public void ByOut(out int value)
{
value += 4 // CS0269: Use of unassigned out parameter `value'
Console.WriteLine(nameof(ByOut) + value); // CS0269: Use of unassigned out parameter `value'
value = 4;
Console.WriteLine(nameof(ByOut) + value);
}
public void TestOut()
{
int outValue1;
ByOut(out outValue1); // prints 4
int outValue2 = 10; // does not make any sense for out
ByOut(out outValue2); // prints 4
}
public void TestRef()
{
int refValue1;
ByRef(ref refValue1); // S0165 Use of unassigned local variable 'refValue'
int refValue2 = 0;
ByRef(ref refValue2); // prints 0 and 4
int refValue3 = 10;
ByRef(ref refValue3); // prints 10 and 14
}
The catch is that by using out the parameter must be initialized before leaving the method, therefore the following method is possible with ref but not with out:
public void EmtyRef(bool condition, ref int value)
{
if (condition)
{
value += 10;
}
}
public void EmtyOut(bool condition, out int value)
{
if (condition)
{
value = 10;
}
} //CS0177: The out parameter 'value' must be assigned before control leaves the current method
This is because if condition does not hold, value goes unassigned.
