How to Use the nameof Operator for Safer Refactoring in C#

Refactoring code can be risky, especially when dealing with hardcoded string literals representing variable, property, or method names.

One small change in a name could lead to runtime errors that are difficult to track down. Fortunately, C# provides the nameof operator to make refactoring safer and more maintainable.

What is the nameof Operator?

The nameof operator in C# returns the string representation of a variable, method, or class name at compile time. This makes your code more resilient to name changes since the compiler will catch errors if a referenced identifier is renamed or removed.

Basic Usage

Instead of using hardcoded strings, use nameof to reference identifiers dynamically:

class Person
{
    public string FirstName { get; set; }
}

void PrintPropertyName()
{
    Console.WriteLine(nameof(Person.FirstName)); // Output: "FirstName"
}

If FirstName is renamed, the compiler will flag the change, helping prevent runtime errors.

Benefits of Using nameof

  1. Safer Refactoring: When renaming identifiers, the compiler ensures nameof references update automatically.
  2. Improved Readability: Code intent is clearer, avoiding magic strings.
  3. Fewer Runtime Errors: No risk of typos or mismatches in string literals.

Practical Examples

Logging

Using nameof ensures that logs remain accurate even after refactoring:

void LogError(string message, string propertyName)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"Error in {propertyName}: {message}");
}

LogError("Invalid value", nameof(Person.FirstName));

Argument Validation

Validating method parameters without hardcoded strings:

void SetAge(int age)
{
    if (age < 0)
        throw new ArgumentException("Age cannot be negative", nameof(age));
}

Dependency Injection

When working with DI frameworks, nameof prevents issues with binding:

services.AddSingleton<ILogger, Logger>(provider =>
    new Logger(nameof(Logger)));

Conclusion

The nameof operator is a simple yet powerful feature in C# that improves code maintainability and prevents common errors during refactoring. By replacing hardcoded strings with nameof, you can make your applications more robust and future-proof.

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Related

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!

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Reading a file line by line is useful when handling large files without loading everything into memory at once.

✅ Best Practice: Use File.ReadLines() which is more memory efficient.

Example

foreach (string line in File.ReadLines("file.txt"))
{
    Console.WriteLine(line);
}

Why use ReadLines()?

Reads one line at a time, reducing overall memory usage. Ideal for large files (e.g., logs, CSVs).

Alternative: Use StreamReader (More Control)

For scenarios where you need custom processing while reading the contents of the file:

using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader("file.txt"))
{
    string? line;
    while ((line = reader.ReadLine()) != null)
    {
        Console.WriteLine(line);
    }
}

Why use StreamReader?

Lets you handle exceptions, encoding, and buffering. Supports custom processing (e.g., search for a keyword while reading).

When to Use ReadAllLines()? If you need all lines at once, use:

string[] lines = File.ReadAllLines("file.txt");

Caution: Loads the entire file into memory—avoid for large files!

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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.

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