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Delegate in C#

mohan kumar5165 23-Jun-2012
So what is delegate?

Basically it is similar like the old "C" age function pointer, where functions can be assigned like a variable and called in the run time based on dynamic conditions. C# delegate is the smarter version of function pointer which helps software architects a lot, especially while utilizing design patterns.

At first, a delegate is defined with a specific signature (return type, parameter type and order etc). To invoke a delegate object, one or more methods are required with the EXACT same signature. A delegate object is first created similar like a class object created. The delegate object will basically hold a reference of a function. The function will then can be called via the delegate object.

Sounds easy? If not let’s have a look in the code snippets below.

 1. Defining the delegate
 
public delegate int Calculate (int value1, int value2);
 2. Creating methods which will be assigned to delegate object

 

//a method, that will be assigned to delegate objects
//having the EXACT signature of the delegate
public int add(int value1, int value2)
{
    return value1 + value2;           
}
//a method, that will be assigned to delegate objects
//having the EXACT signature of the delegate
public int sub( int value1, int value2)
{
    return value1 - value2;           
}
{
    return value1 + value2;           
}
//a method, that will be assigned to delegate objects
//having the EXACT signature of the delegate
public int sub( int value1, int value2)
{
    return value1 - value2;           
}
 3. Creating the delegate object and assigning methods to those delegate objects

 

//creating the class which contains the methods 
//that will be assigned to delegate objects
MyClass mc = new MyClass();

//creating delegate objects and assigning appropriate methods
//having the EXACT signature of the delegate
Calculate add = new Calculate(mc.add);
Calculate sub = new Calculate(mc.sub);

//creating delegate objects and assigning appropriate methods
//having the EXACT signature of the delegate
Calculate add = new Calculate(mc.add);
Calculate sub = new Calculate(mc.sub);
 4. Calling the methods via delegate objects
 
//using the delegate objects to call the assigned methods
Console.WriteLine("Adding two values: " + add(10, 6));
Console.WriteLine("Subtracting two values: " + sub(10,4));
Console.WriteLine("Subtracting two values: " + sub(10,4));

 

Pretty simple, huh? Happy coding!!

 


Updated 29-Nov-2017
Having around 5 Years experience in .NET domain.

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