Alex Rivera | Logout

const Dictionary in c#

Asked 2009-05-12T16:51:39.520
9

I have a class in C# that contains a Dictionary, which I want to create and ensure nothing as added, edited or removed from this dictionary as long as the class which contains it exists.

readonly doesn't really help, once I tested and saw that I can add items after. Just for instance, I created an example:

public class DictContainer
{
    private readonly Dictionary<int, int> myDictionary;

    public DictContainer()
    {
        myDictionary = GetDictionary();
    }

    private Dictionary<int, int> GetDictionary()
    {
        Dictionary<int, int> myDictionary = new Dictionary<int, int>();

        myDictionary.Add(1, 2);
        myDictionary.Add(2, 4);
        myDictionary.Add(3, 6);

        return myDictionary;
    }

    public void Add(int key, int value)
    {
        myDictionary.Add(key, value);
    }

}

I want the Add method not to work. If possible, I want it not to even compile. Any suggestions?

Actually, I'm worried for it is code that will be open for a lot of people to change. So, even if I hide the Add method, it will be possible for someone to "innocently" create a method which add a key, or remove another. I want people to look and know they shouldn't change the dictionary in any ways. Just like I have with a const variable.

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1 Answer

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and this is another way

class ReadOnlyDic<Key, Value> : Dictionary<Key, Value>
{
    private bool _locked = false;

    public new void Add(Key key, Value value)
    {
        if (!_locked)
        {
            base.Add(key, value);
        }
        else
        {
            throw new ReadOnlyException();
        }
    }
    public void Lock()
    {
        _locked = true;
    }
}
answered 2009-05-12T17:21:07.617

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