How does AddRange work in C#?

AddRange is a powerful method in C# that allows you to efficiently add multiple elements to a collection at once. It simplifies the process of populating collections, saving you time and effort compared to adding each element individually.

Understanding AddRange

The AddRange method is available for various collection types in C#, including:

List<T>: A generic list that allows you to store a sequence of elements of a specific type.
ArrayList: A non-generic list that can store any type of object.
Collection<T>: A base class for collections that provides basic functionality.

How it Works

Iterates through the source collection: AddRange iterates through each element in the provided source collection.
Adds each element to the target collection: For each element in the source collection, AddRange adds it to the target collection using the target collection's add method.

Example

// Create a List<string>
List<string> fruits = new List<string>() { "Apple", "Banana" };

// Create another List<string>
List<string> moreFruits = new List<string>() { "Orange", "Mango", "Strawberry" };

// Add the elements of moreFruits to fruits using AddRange
fruits.AddRange(moreFruits);

// Print the updated fruits list
foreach (string fruit in fruits)
{
    Console.WriteLine(fruit);
}

Output:

Apple
Banana
Orange
Mango
Strawberry

Practical Insights

Efficiency: AddRange is significantly faster than adding elements individually, especially when dealing with large collections.
Flexibility: You can use AddRange with various collection types, making it a versatile tool.
Code readability: Using AddRange improves code readability and maintainability.

Conclusion

The AddRange method in C# is a powerful tool for efficiently adding multiple elements to collections. It simplifies the process, improves code readability, and enhances performance.

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