modern-csharp

name: modern-csharp description: > Modern C# language features for .NET 10 and C# 14. Covers primary constructors, collection expressions, the field keyword, extension members, records, pattern matching, spans, and raw string literals. Load this skill when writing any new C# code, reviewing existing code for modernization, using "modern C#", "C# 14", "primary constructor", "collection expression", "records", "pattern matching", "span", "field keyword", or "extension members". Always loaded as the baseline for all agents.

Modern C# (C# 14 / .NET 10)

Core Principles

1. Use the newest stable features — C# 14 is the target. Prefer language-level constructs over library workarounds.
2. Readability over cleverness — Pattern matching and expression-bodied members improve readability when used appropriately; deeply nested patterns do not.
3. Value types where possible — Prefer record struct, Span<T>, and stack allocation to reduce GC pressure.
4. Immutability by default — Use record, readonly, init, and required to make illegal states unrepresentable.

Patterns

Well-Known Features Quick Reference

The field Keyword (C# 14)

Access the auto-generated backing field in property accessors without declaring it manually.

// GOOD — field keyword for validation in auto-property
public class Product
{
    public string Name
    {
        get => field;
        set => field = value?.Trim() ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(value));
    }

    public decimal Price
    {
        get => field;
        set => field = value >= 0 ? value : throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(value));
    }
}

Lazy Initialization with field

public class ProductCatalog
{
    // Lazy-load on first access — no manual Lazy<T> or backing field
    public IReadOnlyList<Product> Products
    {
        get => field ??= LoadProducts();
    }

    private static List<Product> LoadProducts() => /* expensive load */;
}

Change Notification with field

// INotifyPropertyChanged without manual backing fields
public class OrderViewModel : INotifyPropertyChanged
{
    public event PropertyChangedEventHandler? PropertyChanged;

    public string CustomerName
    {
        get => field;
        set
        {
            if (field == value) return;
            field = value;
            PropertyChanged?.Invoke(this, new PropertyChangedEventArgs(nameof(CustomerName)));
        }
    } = "";

    public decimal Total
    {
        get => field;
        set
        {
            if (field == value) return;
            field = value;
            PropertyChanged?.Invoke(this, new PropertyChangedEventArgs(nameof(Total)));
        }
    }
}

Extension Members (C# 14)

C# 14 adds extension blocks inside static classes. Unlike classic extension methods, they support extension properties and static extension members — the receiver is declared once for the whole block.

// GOOD — extension block (shipped C# 14 syntax)
public static class OrderExtensions
{
    extension(Order order)
    {
        public decimal TotalWithTax => order.Total * 1.2m;

        public bool IsHighValue => order.Total > 1000m;

        public string ToSummary() =>
            $"Order #{order.Id}: {order.Total:C} ({order.Items.Count} items)";
    }

    // Static extension members use the type (no receiver instance)
    extension(Order)
    {
        public static Order Empty => Order.Create("none", [], DateTimeOffset.MinValue);
    }
}

// Callers see them as if declared on Order
if (order.IsHighValue) { /* ... */ }

Classic this-parameter extension methods still work and coexist — use extension blocks when you need properties or several members on the same receiver.

Anti-patterns

Don't Use Obsolete Patterns When Modern Alternatives Exist

// BAD — manual backing field when field keyword works
private string _name;
public string Name
{
    get => _name;
    set => _name = value ?? throw new ArgumentNullException();
}

// BAD — old-style collection initialization
var list = new List<int>() { 1, 2, 3 };

// BAD — Tuple instead of record for domain types
(string Name, decimal Price) product = ("Widget", 9.99m);
// GOOD — record
public record Product(string Name, decimal Price);

Don't Over-pattern-match

// BAD — deeply nested pattern that's hard to read
if (order is { Customer: { Address: { Country: { Code: "US" } } } })

// GOOD — extract to a clear method or use sequential checks
if (order.Customer.Address.Country.Code == "US")

Don't Use var When the Type Is Not Obvious

// BAD — what type is this?
var result = Process(order);

// GOOD — explicit type when not obvious
Result<Order> result = Process(order);
// Also GOOD — var is fine when type is apparent
var orders = new List<Order>();

Decision Guide