C# auto-initialize property

C# auto-initialize property is a feature, introduced in 6.0. It allows us to initialize properties without creating a constructor.

Now, we can initialize properties along with declaration.

In early versions, constructor is required to initialize properties. An old approach is used in the following example.

C# Example without auto-initialize property

using System;
namespace CSharpFeatures
{
    public class PropertyInitializer
    {
        public string Name { get; set; }
        PropertyInitializer()
        {
            Name = "Rahul Kumar";
        }
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            PropertyInitializer pin = new PropertyInitializer();
            Console.WriteLine(pin.Name);
        }
    }
}

Output

Rahul Kumar

Now, we don't need to create constructor. See, the following example.

C# Example with auto-initialize property

using System;
namespace CSharpFeatures
{
    public class PropertyInitializer
    {
        public string Name { get; set; } = "Rahul Kumar";
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            PropertyInitializer pin = new PropertyInitializer();
            Console.WriteLine(pin.Name);
        }
    }
}

Output

Rahul Kumar

We can make a property restrict to change by setting private modifier. See, the following example.

C# Example with auto-initialize property

using System;
namespace CSharpFeatures
{
    class Student
    {
        // Auto-property initializer
        public string Name { get; private set; } = "Rahul Kumar";
    }
    public class PropertyInitializer
    {
        public static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Student student = new Student();
            Console.WriteLine(student.Name);
        }
    }
}

Output