What Does C#'s `dynamic` Keyword Do?

What is the 'dynamic' Type in C# 4.0 Used For?

C# 4.0 introduced a revolutionary concept: the 'dynamic' type. While optional arguments and simplified COM APIs were significant additions, the dynamic type holds a unique role.

Empowering Interoperability with Dynamic Languages

The dynamic keyword bridges the gap between C# and dynamically typed languages like Python, Ruby, and JavaScript. It enables programmers to interact with these objects using C# syntax, eliminating the complexities associated with directly manipulating them.

Simplifying Cross-Runtime Interactions

Consider a scenario where you want to work with a COM object. Before C# 4.0, you were required to pass parameters through an unintuitive process involving multiple reference keywords and missing values.

With the dynamic type, this becomes much more readable and manageable. Simply call the method with named arguments, and C# will handle the necessary runtime conversions transparently.

The Dynamic Runtime

Behind the scenes, the dynamic keyword leverages a set of runtime classes that interpret your code and translate it into the appropriate API calls for different types of objects. This effectively hides the complexity of interoperability from the programmer.

Intended Usage

It's important to note that the dynamic type is not intended to replace strongly typed code within C#. Its primary purpose remains facilitating interactions with dynamic objects from other runtimes.

Exploration and Alternatives

For a deeper dive into the dynamic type, consider the following resources:

• DevDays 2010: Anders Hejlsberg - C# 4.0 and beyond
• Channel 9: Mads Torgersen - Inside C# 4.0: dynamic typing
• DevX: COM Interop Gets Much Better in C# 4.0
• Scott Hanselman - C# 4 and the dynamic keyword - Whirlwind Tour around .NET 4 (and Visual Studio 2010) Beta 1

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