Does ToList() Create a Deep Copy or a Shallow Copy of a List?

When ToList() is Called, Does It Create a New List?

In this scenario, we're working with a class called MyObject that has a property called SimpleInt. Let's say we have a list of MyObject instances. If we were to execute ToList() on this list and subsequently modify the SimpleInt property of one of the elements in the new list, would this change propagate back to the original list?

Understanding the ToList() Function

The ToList() method is designed to create a new copy of the original list. However, in this specific situation, we're dealing with reference types (i.e., MyObject is a reference type). This means that when we create a new list using ToList(), the new list will contain references to the same objects as the original list.

Consequence of Reference Types

Since MyObject is a reference type, altering the SimpleInt property of an object referenced in the new list will also affect the corresponding object in the original list. This is because both lists are pointing to the same instances.

Struct vs. Class

It's important to note that this behavior is only applicable to reference types. If MyObject were declared as a struct (value type) instead of a class (reference type), the newly created list via ToList() would contain copies of the original list elements. Consequently, any modifications made to a struct element in the new list would not impact the original list.

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