Collection initializer for List not working giving "; expected" compile error. Why?

Question

I am trying to initialize a generic collection List something like this:

List<MyCustomClass> myCustomClassList = new List<MyCustomClass>() {myCustomClassInstance1, myCustomClassInstance2};

I am getting the compile error "; expected". I don't understand this. Shouldn't I just be able to initialize this collection like this?

Sure. How old is your Visual Studio edition? – Hans Passant Feb 28 '11 at 21:23 — Hans Passant, Feb 28 '11 at 21:23
I'm using .NET 2.0 with VS 2005. Guess that's my problem? – richard Feb 28 '11 at 21:25 — richard, Feb 28 '11 at 21:25

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 28 '11 at 21:21

4

What version of .NET are you using? Collection initializers only work in .NET 3.5 and higher

answered Feb 28 '11 at 21:21

LorenVS

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I'm using .NET 2.0 with VS 2005. – richard Feb 28 '11 at 21:25
Yeppers, that is your problem, you need VS2008 or higher for collection initializers – LorenVS Feb 28 '11 at 21:26
Ok. I have used array (non-generic) initializers, so those work, just not the collection initializers I guess. – richard Feb 28 '11 at 21:32

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 28 '11 at 21:38

Collection Initializers are part of the C# 3.0 specification and not the .Net Framework/Libraries. The earliest implementation that uses C# 3.0 is VS2008, and the .Net 3.5 framework. You can build against earlier versions of the framework. If you are compiling via script from the command-line, or other IDE, make sure you are referencing the appropriate toolchain: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5\csc.exe

Collection initializer for List not working giving "; expected" compile error. Why?

2 Answers2