automatic property with default value [duplicate]

Answer 1

If the default value for the type is not sufficient, then the only way to do it is via a constructor.

Answer 2

No, there isn't any nice way of doing this - basically you have to set it in the constructor, which isn't pleasant.

There are various limitations to automatic properties like this - my biggest gripe is that there isn't a way to create a read-only automatic property which can be set in the constructor but nowhere else (and backed by a readonly field).

Answer 3

Best you can do is set it in the constructor, you cannot make changes within automatic properties, you will need a backing field and implement the setter/getter yourself otherwise.

Using a backing field you can write something like this:

private int _howHigh = 0;
public int HowHigh { get {return _howHigh; }  set { _howHigh = value; } }

Answer 4

In a word: No.

Automatic properties are a one trick pony, as soon as you need something extra (like a reasonable default value) you should revert to the backing field regular properties.

I'm a Resharper user, and it makes going from automatic to backed properties a breeze.

Answer 5

The constructor is NOT the only option you have.

I believe this is best:

private int m_HowHigh = 5; 
public int HowHigh { 
    get { return m_HowHigh; }  
    set { m_HowHigh = value; } 
} 

I prefer this for readability purposes more than the ctor().

This is NOT what you want:

[DefaultValue(5)]
public int HowHigh { get; set; }

Reference: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.componentmodel.defaultvalueattribute.aspx#Y2248

Because this is only a decoration and does not set the value (in C#4).