Delegates in C# are a type that represents references to methods with a particular parameter list and return type. They are similar to function pointers in C/C++ and can hold a reference to a method. Delegates are used to pass methods as arguments to other methods, allowing for more flexible and dynamic programming. Here are some key points about delegates:
- A delegate is a type that represents references to methods with a particular parameter list and return type.
- Delegates can be used to define callback methods.
- Delegates can be chained together, allowing multiple methods to be called on a single event.
- Methods dont have to match the delegate type exactly.
- Lambda expressions are a more concise way of writing inline code blocks.
- Delegate objects can be composed using the "+" operator.
- The delegate type for a given event is defined by the event source.
Delegates are useful when you want to pass a method as an argument to another method, or when you want to define a callback method that will be called when a certain event occurs. They are also useful when you want to create a more flexible and dynamic program, where you can programmatically change method calls or plug new code into existing classes. Delegates are not the only way to achieve these goals, but they provide a convenient and object-oriented way to do so.