Out Parameters C#
In addition to passing values by reference, you can also specify that a given parameter is an out parameter by using the out keyword, which is used in the same way as the ref keyword (as a modifier to the parameter in the function definition and in the function call). In effect, this gives you almost
exactly the same behavior as a reference parameter in that the value of the parameter at the end of the function execution is returned to the variable used in the function call. However, there are important differences:
Whereas it is illegal to use an unassigned variable as a ref parameter, you can use an unassigned variable as an out parameter.
An out parameter must be treated as an unassigned value by the function that uses it. This means that while it is permissible in calling code to use an assigned variable as an out parameter, the value stored in this variable is lost when the function executes.
Example
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
namespace ConsoleApplication1
{
class Program
{
static int MaxValue(int[] intArray, out int maxIndex)
{
int maxVal = intArray[0];
maxIndex = 0;
for (int i = 1; i < intArray.Length; i++)
{
if (intArray[i] > maxVal)
{
maxVal = intArray[i];
maxIndex = i;
}
}
return maxVal;
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
int[] myArray = { 1, 8, 3, 6, 2, 5, 9, 3, 0, 2 };
int maxIndex;
Console.WriteLine("The maximum value in myArray is {0}",
MaxValue(myArray, out maxIndex));
Console.WriteLine("The first occurrence of this value is at
element {0}", maxIndex + 1);
Console.ReadKey();
}
}
}
