How can I simplify C# code that sets multiple properties of an object?

Question

I have code that looks like this:

itemView.Question.AnswersJSON = itemView.Answer.ToJSONString();
itemView.Question.Modified = DateTime.Now;
itemView.Question.Mo         


        

Answer 1

One option is that you can convert your properties into methods that return 'this'.

Then you could write:

itemView.Question
    .AnswersJSON(itemView.Answer.ToJSONString())
    .Modified(DateTime.Now)
    .ModifiedBy(User.Identity.Name);

I've heard this style called 'fluent interface', and find it pretty handy. I sometimes create properties and a matching set methods returning 'this' called SetXXXX to compliment them.

The popular Rhino Mocks framework for unit testing uses it. More examples here: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/99542/Guidelines-to-Fluent-Interface-design-in-C-Part-1