Use of anonymous method

Question

I haven't used anonymous methods. I found a code where a list is being iterated as shown in code snippet 1. Why would the code snippet 1 be preferred over 2?

    List<String> names = new List<String>(); 

    ... 
    //Code snippet 1
    names.ForEach(delegate(String name)
    {
        Console.WriteLine(name);
    });

    //Code snippet 2
    foreach (string name in names)
    {
        Console.WriteLine(name);
    }

I have not known that snippet 1 is preferred over 2. Any proof? — Delta76, May 18 '11 at 09:29
I was also wondering why would anyone go for snippet 1. In fact, I found this in the code base of the project I am working on that someone else coded. — softwarematter, May 18 '11 at 09:30
I would strongly prefer the second over the first. I'd only use something like the first if I need it. For example in parallel for. — CodesInChaos, May 18 '11 at 09:37

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered May 18 '11 at 09:37

7

I don't see snippet 1 used much at all. I do see a variation of it using lambda expressions.

names.ForEach(x=> Console.WriteLine(x));

answered May 18 '11 at 09:37

SquidScareMe

3,108
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5

This can be simplified to `names.ForEach(Console.WriteLine);` – David S. May 03 '13 at 16:49

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 03 '13 at 16:44

0

In this case, there is no benefit.

You would find older programmers using method 2 in your example and newer programmers might use method 1.

Older programmers have more experience prior to anonymous methods, anonymous methods are new and not "ingrained in their soul" and they automatically program in style #2.

New programmers might use #1 because they keep thinking everything is a method call.

answered May 03 '13 at 16:44

Bill

187
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Consider reading [this article](http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ericlippert/archive/2009/05/18/foreach-vs-foreach.aspx) comparing the two approaches. – Servy May 03 '13 at 17:15

Use of anonymous method

2 Answers2