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CraweN




Posts: 719
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PostPosted: Sun, 7th Mar 2010 01:39    Post subject: c#, when to use a structure instead of a class?
Hey peeps.

is there any easy way to calculate when to use a structure instead of a class. I'm still a beginner on programming, but is there some rule of thumb on when to use a struct as to using a class?

regards
CraweN

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panzieman




Posts: 288
PostPosted: Sun, 7th Mar 2010 07:10    Post subject:
As a beginner in programming just always use a class. You really only want to use structs when you're really, really trying to keep your memory footprint down. But at that point you should be using a language that more easily lends itself to efficient programming than C#.
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tainted4ever
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Posts: 11335
PostPosted: Sun, 7th Mar 2010 07:47    Post subject:
If you're only getting and setting stuff use a structure. Soon as you want to manipulate the data, use a class. There's really no formula to use. Just do what you think is right. If you're a beginner, stick to using classes.

Sense Amid Madness, Wit Amidst Folly
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LeoNatan
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Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
PostPosted: Tue, 9th Mar 2010 15:28    Post subject:
One thing to remember is that structures are sent by value, meaning that every time you sent it to a function, it is copied locally. This process takes time and space, so when thinking of using structures, take that in mind. You can however offset this by changing methods to receive these structures by reference by using the "ref" keyword. Structures are best for storing a small information together, which can usually be seen as a data type comparable to ints, floats, etc. For example, a vector would be a nice example of a structure. And yet, I just made all my methods in an XNA (3D) project take structures by references, and I saw a considerable performance boost, which would increase on machines with lower specs. Smile
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