C# - ValueTuple Examples

System.ValueTuple. With a ValueTuple, we can use a simpler syntax form to create and handle tuples. Add the System.ValueTuple package to your program (it is a NuGet package).

Here We create a 3-item ValueTuple. It is the same as a Tuple of the specified items, except it has simpler syntax and a ToTuple method.

using System; class Program { static void Main() { // Make sure System.ValueTuple is referenced in the project. // ... Create 3-item ValueTuple. var data = (10, "bird", 1.5); // Test an item. if (data.Item1 == 10) { Console.WriteLine(data); } } }

(10, bird, 1.5)

ToTuple. Here we use the ToTuple method on the ValueTuple. Make sure you add the System.ValueTuple package. We can convert a ValueTuple to a Tuple.

using System; class Program { static void Main() { // Create a ValueTuple. var unit = (10, 20, 'X'); // Convert to a Tuple. Tuple<int, int, char> tuple = unit.ToTuple(); Console.WriteLine(unit.GetType()); Console.WriteLine(unit); Console.WriteLine(tuple.GetType()); Console.WriteLine(tuple); } }

System.ValueTuple`3[System.Int32,System.Int32,System.Char] (10, 20, X) System.Tuple`3[System.Int32,System.Int32,System.Char] (10, 20, X)

ValueTuple, names. With the ValueTuple syntax we can improve the readability of code that uses tuples. We do not need to use Item1, Item2 syntax—we can access items by a label or name.

using System; class Program { static void Main() { // Create a ValueTuple with names. var result = (count: 10, animal: "scorpion"); // Access items by their names. Console.WriteLine(result.count); Console.WriteLine(result.animal); } }

10 scorpion

ValueTuple, deconstruction. With a ValueTuple, we can "deconstruct" a return value from a method. Consider this example. CatInfo returns a 2-item ValueTuple.

And We then deconstruct the returned tuple in the Main method. We can access the cat's size and name directly.

using System; class Program { static (int, string) CatInfo() { // Return a ValueTuple with an int and string. return (10, "Mittens"); } static void Main() { // Deconstruct the ValueTuple. var (size, name) = CatInfo(); // Display the values. Console.WriteLine($"Cat size = {size}; name = {name}"); } }

Cat size = 10; name = Mittens

ValueTuple, type error. To use a ValueTuple, you may need to add a package from NuGet in Visual Studio. In Visual Studio, use "Manage NuGet Packages" and search for "ValueType."

class Program { static void Main() { // Make sure System.ValueTuple is imported. var unit = ("bird", "blue", 5); } }

Error CS8179 Predefined type 'System.ValueTuple`3' is not defined or imported

Benchmark, ValueTuple. With a Tuple, we must allocate a class instance. But with ValueTuple, the Framework uses dynamic types to reduce overhead.

Here Method1 and Method2 both return a 2-item result. Method1 uses Tuple, and Method2 use a value tuple.

Result The new ValueTuple is faster. With ValueTuple we have both simpler syntax and improved performance.

using System; using System.Diagnostics; class Program { static Tuple<int, string> Method1() { return new Tuple<int, string>(10, "bird"); } static (int, string) Method2() { return (10, "bird"); } static void Main() { const int _max = 1000000; // Version 1: use Tuple class. var s1 = Stopwatch.StartNew(); for (int i = 0; i < _max; i++) { var result = Method1(); if (result.Item1 != 10) { return; } } s1.Stop(); // Version 2: use ValueTuple. var s2 = Stopwatch.StartNew(); for (int i = 0; i < _max; i++) { var result = Method2(); if (result.Item1 != 10) { return; } } s2.Stop(); Console.WriteLine(s1.Elapsed.TotalMilliseconds); Console.WriteLine(s2.Elapsed.TotalMilliseconds); } }

4.8384 Return Tuple 0.2571 Return ValueTuple

Dot Net Perls is a collection of tested code examples. Pages are continually updated to stay current, with code correctness a top priority.

Sam Allen is passionate about computer languages. In the past, his work has been recommended by Apple and Microsoft and he has studied computers at a selective university in the United States.

This page was last updated on Mar 23, 2022 (grammar).

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