How to circumvent unused out parameters values?

Question

I am using ConcurrentDictionary, and I need to remove elements using TryRemove.

The implementation of TryRemove requires an out parameter that returns the object that will be removed.

Body dummy;
if (!bulletBodies.TryRemove(bullet, out dummy))
{

}
...

I do not want to use an additional line on a dummy variable whenever I delete an entry in my dictionary: that's why I tried to circumvent the out return parameter unsuccesfully typing the horrors below. I also googled a bit, without success.

bulletBodies.TryRemove(bullet, null);
bulletBodies.TryRemove(bullet, out null);
bulletBodies.TryRemove(bullet, void);
...

Is there a way or a clever tip to manage unused out parameters, so there is no need to declare dummy variables anywhere?

Extension method looks nice. However, is there really nothing specific to C# about handling unused out parameters? — Larry, Mar 19 '13 at 12:58

score 7 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 19 '13 at 12:52

7

You can create an extension method TryRemove that does not return removed value.

answered Mar 19 '13 at 12:52

alex

12,464
3
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67

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 19 '13 at 12:54

4

You could write an extension method, such as:

public static bool TryRemove<TKey, TValue>(this ConcurrentDictionary<TKey, TValue> dictionary, TKey key)
{
    TValue dummy;
    return dictionary.TryRemove(key, out dummy);
}

answered Mar 19 '13 at 12:54

Tim S.

55,448
7
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Accepted for the code, and to balance amount of rep between two good answers. – Larry Mar 19 '13 at 13:24

How to circumvent unused out parameters values?

2 Answers2