How do Raw String Literals Work in C#

Slow initial load times can drive users away from your React application. One powerful technique to improve performance is lazy loading - loading components only when they're needed.

Let's explore how to implement this in React.

The Problem with Eager Loading

By default, React bundles all your components together, forcing users to download everything upfront. This makes navigation much quicker and more streamlined once this initial download is complete.

However, depending on the size of your application, it could also create a long initial load time.

import HeavyComponent from './HeavyComponent';
import AnotherHeavyComponent from './AnotherHeavyComponent';

function App() {
  return (
    <div>
      {/* These components load even if user never sees them */}
      <HeavyComponent />
      <AnotherHeavyComponent />
    </div>
  );
}

React.lazy() to the Rescue

React.lazy() lets you defer loading components until they're actually needed:

import React, { lazy, Suspense } from 'react';

// Components are now loaded only when rendered
const HeavyComponent = lazy(() => import('./HeavyComponent'));
const AnotherHeavyComponent = lazy(() => import('./AnotherHeavyComponent'));

function App() {
  return (
    <div>
      <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading...</div>}>
        <HeavyComponent />
        <AnotherHeavyComponent />
      </Suspense>
    </div>
  );
}

Route-Based Lazy Loading

Combine with React Router for even better performance:

import React, { lazy, Suspense } from 'react';
import { BrowserRouter, Routes, Route } from 'react-router-dom';

const Home = lazy(() => import('./pages/Home'));
const Dashboard = lazy(() => import('./pages/Dashboard'));
const Settings = lazy(() => import('./pages/Settings'));

function App() {
  return (
    <BrowserRouter>
      <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading...</div>}>
        <Routes>
          <Route path="/" element={<Home />} />
          <Route path="/dashboard" element={<Dashboard />} />
          <Route path="/settings" element={<Settings />} />
        </Routes>
      </Suspense>
    </BrowserRouter>
  );
}

Implement these techniques in your React application today and watch your load times improve dramatically!

Storing passwords as plain text is dangerous. Instead, you should hash them using a strong, slow hashing algorithm like BCrypt, which includes built-in salting and resistance to brute-force attacks.

Step 1: Install BCrypt NuGet Package

Before using BCrypt, install the BCrypt.Net-Next package:

dotnet add package BCrypt.Net-Next

or via NuGet Package Manager:

Install-Package BCrypt.Net-Next

Step 2: Hash a Password

Use BCrypt.HashPassword() to securely hash a password before storing it:

using BCrypt.Net;

string password = "mySecurePassword123";
string hashedPassword = BCrypt.HashPassword(password);

Console.WriteLine(hashedPassword); // Output: $2a$12$...

Step 3: Verify a Password

To check a user's login attempt, use BCrypt.Verify():

bool isMatch = BCrypt.Verify("mySecurePassword123", hashedPassword);
Console.WriteLine(isMatch); // Output: True

Ensuring proper hashing should be at the top of your list when it comes to building authentication systems.

File-scoped namespaces, introduced in C# 10, provide a more concise way to declare namespaces in your code files.

This feature helps reduce nesting levels and makes your code cleaner and more readable. Let's explore how to use them effectively and understand their benefits.

Traditional Namespace Declaration

Traditionally, C# developers have used block-scoped namespaces, which require curly braces and add an extra level of indentation:

namespace MyCompany.MyProduct.Features
{
    public class UserService
    {
        private readonly string _connectionString;

        public UserService(string connectionString)
        {
            _connectionString = connectionString;
        }

        public void CreateUser(string username)
        {
            // Implementation
        }
    }

    public record User(string Username, string Email);
}

Modern File-Scoped Namespace

With file-scoped namespaces, you can declare the namespace without braces, reducing indentation and making the code more readable:

namespace MyCompany.MyProduct.Features;

public class UserService
{
    private readonly string _connectionString;

    public UserService(string connectionString)
    {
        _connectionString = connectionString;
    }

    public void CreateUser(string username)
    {
        // Implementation
    }
}

public record User(string Username, string Email);

Key Benefits and Best Practices

1. Reduced Indentation: File-scoped namespaces eliminate one level of indentation, making the code easier to read and maintain.

2. Single Namespace per File: File-scoped namespaces enforce a good practice of having only one namespace per file, improving code organization.

3. Compatibility: File-scoped namespaces work seamlessly with existing code and can be gradually adopted in your codebase.

Important Considerations

When using file-scoped namespaces, keep these points in mind:

• You can only have one namespace declaration per file
• The namespace declaration must be the first non-comment line in the file
• You cannot mix traditional and file-scoped namespace declarations in the same file

Migration Tips

When converting existing code to use file-scoped namespaces:

1. Start with new files, using file-scoped namespaces from the beginning
2. Gradually convert existing files during regular maintenance work
3. Use IDE tools to automate the conversion process
4. Ensure your team agrees on the migration approach and timeline

Conclusion

File-scoped namespaces are a simple yet effective feature that can make your C# code more readable and maintainable. While the benefits might seem small, they add up significantly in larger codebases. Consider adopting this modern syntax in your C# projects, especially if you're using C# 10 or later.