Why Doesn't IEnumerable Have a ForEach Extension Method in C#?

Why does

C#’s IEnumerable interface lack the ForEach extension method?

Although the IEnumerable interface includes other extension methods such as Zip, it lacks the ForEach extension method. The absence sparked curiosity among programmers, who questioned why.

Reason: existing language syntax

The main reason for the absence of

ForEach extension methods is the existing foreach statement in the C# language. This statement actually accomplishes the same task as the ForEach extension method, so the latter is redundant in most cases.

foreach Advantages of statements

The ForEach statement has the following advantages over the foreach extension method:

• Clarity and readability: foreach The syntax is clear and concise, making the code easier to understand and maintain.
• Conciseness: The foreach syntax is shorter and more concise than the underlying ForEach extension method.

ForEach Advantages of extension methods

Despite the many advantages of the foreach statement, some believe that ForEach extension methods can still be beneficial in certain situations. These advantages include:

• Type checking: Unlike the runtime type checking of foreach statements, ForEach extension methods will be type checked at compile time.
• Simplified delegate invocation: The ForEach method provides a simpler syntax for calling delegates, such as "objects.ForEach(DoSomething)".
• Chain call capability: ForEach Extension methods can support chain calls, providing greater flexibility.

Conclusion

While the foreach statement effectively meets the needs of most cases, in some cases ForEach extension methods may provide additional advantages. Weighing the advantages of both approaches, it is recommended to use the foreach statement when clarity and conciseness is required, and to explore potential ForEach extension methods to take advantage of its advantages in specific scenarios.

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