ktsu.DelegateTransform 1.1.4
ktsu.DelegateTransform
A utility library for transforming values using delegates in C#.
Introduction
DelegateTransform is a utility library that provides methods for transforming values using various delegate types in C#. It offers a clean and efficient way to apply transformations using ActionRef, Func, and FuncRef delegates, making your code more readable and functional.
Important: All With methods return a new transformed value - they never mutate the original input. This provides functional programming semantics even when using reference-based delegates.
Features
- ActionRef Transformations: Modify copies of values by reference using action delegates
- Func Transformations: Transform values using function delegates
- FuncRef Transformations: Transform values by reference using function delegates that return values
- Copy-on-Transform: Original values are never mutated
- Generic Implementation: Works with any value or reference type
Supported Frameworks
- .NET 10.0, 9.0, 8.0, 7.0, 6.0
- .NET Standard 2.1
Installation
Package Manager Console
Install-Package ktsu.DelegateTransform
.NET CLI
dotnet add package ktsu.DelegateTransform
Package Reference
<PackageReference Include="ktsu.DelegateTransform" Version="x.y.z" />
Usage Examples
With ActionRef
The With method can be used with an ActionRef<T> delegate to apply a transformation by reference and return the result:
using ktsu.DelegateTransform;
int input = 5;
int result = DelegateTransform.With(input, (ref int x) => x *= 2);
// result is 10, input is still 5 (original unchanged)
With Func
The With method can be used with a Func<T, T> delegate to transform the input value:
using ktsu.DelegateTransform;
int input = 5;
int result = DelegateTransform.With(input, x => x * 2);
// result is 10
With FuncRef
The With method can be used with a FuncRef<T> delegate to transform the input value by reference:
using ktsu.DelegateTransform;
int input = 5;
int result = DelegateTransform.With(input, (ref int x) => x * x);
// result is 25, input is still 5 (original unchanged)
Chaining Transformations
You can chain multiple transformations by nesting calls:
using ktsu.DelegateTransform;
// Starting value
string input = "example";
// Chain of transformations
string step1 = DelegateTransform.With(input, s => s.ToUpper()); // "EXAMPLE"
string step2 = DelegateTransform.With(step1, s => s.Replace("EX", "**")); // "**AMPLE"
string result = DelegateTransform.With(step2, s => s + " transformed"); // "**AMPLE transformed"
Console.WriteLine(result); // Outputs: **AMPLE transformed
Complex Object Transformations
using ktsu.DelegateTransform;
var person = new Person { Name = "John", Age = 30 };
// Transform using ActionRef (for reference types, the object is modified)
Person updatedPerson = DelegateTransform.With(person, (ref Person p) => {
p.Name = p.Name.ToUpper();
p.Age += 1;
});
Console.WriteLine($"{updatedPerson.Name}, {updatedPerson.Age}"); // Outputs: JOHN, 31
// Transform using Func to create a string description
string description = DelegateTransform.With(person, p =>
$"{p.Name} is {p.Age} years old");
Console.WriteLine(description); // Outputs: JOHN is 31 years old
API Reference
Delegate Types
// Custom delegate for actions on references
public delegate void ActionRef<T>(ref T item);
// Custom delegate for functions on references
public delegate T FuncRef<T>(ref T item);
DelegateTransform Static Class
The main class providing transformation methods.
Methods
| Method | Parameters | Return Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
With<T> |
T input, ActionRef<T> delegate |
T |
Creates a copy, applies the action by reference, returns the modified copy |
With<T> |
T input, Func<T, T> delegate |
T |
Applies a function to the input and returns the result |
With<T> |
T input, FuncRef<T> delegate |
T |
Passes input by reference to the function and returns the result |
All methods throw ArgumentNullException if the delegate is null.
Design Principles
Copy-on-Transform
The library follows a functional programming pattern where the original input is never mutated:
public static T With<T>(T input, ActionRef<T> @delegate)
{
Ensure.NotNull(@delegate);
T output = input; // Creates a copy
@delegate(ref output);
return output;
}
This ensures predictable behavior and prevents side effects on the original values.
Performance Considerations
For value types (structs), a copy is made before transformation. For large structs where you want to avoid copying, consider using the FuncRef<T> overload which passes by reference and returns the modified value.
For reference types (classes), the "copy" is actually a copy of the reference, so the underlying object can be modified. If you need true immutability for reference types, create a new instance within your delegate.
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Here's how you can help:
- Fork the repository
- Create your feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature) - Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature') - Push to the branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature) - Open a Pull Request
Please make sure to update tests as appropriate and adhere to the existing coding style.
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE.md file for details.