How can I return multiple values from a function i

Question

I read the C++ version of this question but didn't really understand it.

Can someone please explain clearly if it can be done and how?

Answer 1

Use .NET 4.0+'s Tuple:

For Example:

public Tuple<int, int> GetMultipleValue()
{
     return Tuple.Create(1,2);
}

Tuples with two values have Item1 and Item2 as properties.

Answer 2

You can use three different ways

1. ref / out parameters

using ref:

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    int add = 0;
    int multiply = 0;
    Add_Multiply(a, b, ref add, ref multiply);
    Console.WriteLine(add);
    Console.WriteLine(multiply);
}

private static void Add_Multiply(int a, int b, ref int add, ref int multiply)
{
    add = a + b;
    multiply = a * b;
}

using out:

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    int add;
    int multiply;
    Add_Multiply(a, b, out add, out multiply);
    Console.WriteLine(add);
    Console.WriteLine(multiply);
}

private static void Add_Multiply(int a, int b, out int add, out int multiply)
{
    add = a + b;
    multiply = a * b;
}

2. struct / class

using struct:

struct Result
{
    public int add;
    public int multiply;
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    var result = Add_Multiply(a, b);
    Console.WriteLine(result.add);
    Console.WriteLine(result.multiply);
}

private static Result Add_Multiply(int a, int b)
{
    var result = new Result
    {
        add = a * b,
        multiply = a + b
    };
    return result;
}

using class:

class Result
{
    public int add;
    public int multiply;
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
    int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    var result = Add_Multiply(a, b);
    Console.WriteLine(result.add);
    Console.WriteLine(result.multiply);
}

private static Result Add_Multiply(int a, int b)
{
    var result = new Result
    {
        add = a * b,
        multiply = a + b
    };
    return result;
}

3. Tuple

Tuple class

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    var result = Add_Multiply(a, b);
    Console.WriteLine(result.Item1);
    Console.WriteLine(result.Item2);
}

private static Tuple<int, int> Add_Multiply(int a, int b)
{
    var tuple = new Tuple<int, int>(a + b, a * b);
    return tuple;
}

C# 7 Tuples

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    int a = 10;
    int b = 20;
    (int a_plus_b, int a_mult_b) = Add_Multiply(a, b);
    Console.WriteLine(a_plus_b);
    Console.WriteLine(a_mult_b);
}

private static (int a_plus_b, int a_mult_b) Add_Multiply(int a, int b)
{
    return(a + b, a * b);
}

Answer 3

There are several ways to do this. You can use ref parameters:

int Foo(ref Bar bar) { }

This passes a reference to the function thereby allowing the function to modify the object in the calling code's stack. While this is not technically a "returned" value it is a way to have a function do something similar. In the code above the function would return an int and (potentially) modify bar.

Another similar approach is to use an out parameter. An out parameter is identical to a ref parameter with an additional, compiler enforced rule. This rule is that if you pass an out parameter into a function, that function is required to set its value prior to returning. Besides that rule, an out parameter works just like a ref parameter.

The final approach (and the best in most cases) is to create a type that encapsulates both values and allow the function to return that:

class FooBar 
{
    public int i { get; set; }
    public Bar b { get; set; }
}

FooBar Foo(Bar bar) { }

This final approach is simpler and easier to read and understand.

Answer 4

You could use a dynamic object. I think it has better readability than Tuple.

static void Main(string[] args){
    var obj = GetMultipleValues();
    Console.WriteLine(obj.Id);
    Console.WriteLine(obj.Name);
}

private static dynamic GetMultipleValues() {
    dynamic temp = new System.Dynamic.ExpandoObject();
    temp.Id = 123;
    temp.Name = "Lorem Ipsum";
    return temp;
}

Answer 5

You cannot do this in C#. What you can do is have a out parameter or return your own class (or struct if you want it to be immutable).

Using out parameter

public int GetDay(DateTime date, out string name)
{
  // ...
}

Using custom class (or struct)

public DayOfWeek GetDay(DateTime date)
{
  // ...
}

public class DayOfWeek
{
  public int Day { get; set; }
  public string Name { get; set; }
}

Answer 6

From this article, you can use three options as posts above said.

KeyValuePair is quickest way.

out is at the second.

Tuple is the slowest.

Anyway, this is depend on what is the best for your scenario.