Jagged Array typed Properties

Question

Say I have a property like this:

public int[] MyProperty
{
    get;
    set;
}

The calling code is free to change the values of the array, but also to replace the array itself. This can easily be prevented by hiding the setter, like so:

public int[] MyProperty
{
    get;
    private set;
}

This allows the calling code to change the values, but it can't change the array to a different one, or change the size.

This pattern works with multidimensional arrays, but not jagged arrays. If I have this:

public int[][] MyProperty
{
    get;
    private set;
}

The main array can't be modified, but the child arrays can. What if I want to make the child arrays readonly, so that the calling code can change the elements, but not the arrays?

How can I make only the elements of jagged arrays modifiable? This includes 3D and higher.

msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0fss9skc.aspx

SLaks
– SLaks

2012-05-29 23:28:45 +00:00
Commented May 29, 2012 at 23:28 — SLaks
– SLaks, Commented May 29, 2012 at 23:28

gilly3 · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-29 23:31:48Z

3

You should use a ReadOnlyCollection<int[]>.

edited May 29, 2012 at 23:31

gilly3

92.6k26 gold badges148 silver badges179 bronze badges

answered May 29, 2012 at 23:28

SLaks

891k182 gold badges1.9k silver badges2k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

6 Comments

Jeremy Thompson Over a year ago

+1 very nice, could you elaborate just slightly to use it in a code example

Kendall Frey Over a year ago

Cool. Is there a way to solve the problem with jagged arrays?

SLaks Over a year ago

@KendallFrey: No, there isn't.

Kendall Frey Over a year ago

Another question: I don't suppose there is anything wrong with ReadOnlyCollection<Collection<int>>? It seems more uniform, that's all.

SLaks Over a year ago

@KendallFrey: That would actually be better. Note, though, that clients will be able to Add() and Remove() from the inner collections.

|

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Jagged Array typed Properties

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related