C# - Lesson 27: Classes and Indexers

	Classes and Indexers

Fundamentals of Indexed Properties and Classes

Introduction

In the previous lesson, we learned to create and use indexer that were taking parameters of primitive types. Just as we did with primitive types, you can create an indexer that is of a class type. For example, you can create a class so that one of the its fields declared as an array can be accessed with an index directly applied to an instance of the class.

Practical Learning: Introducing Indexers and Classes

Appartments

Start a new Console Application named PropertyRental2
To create a new class, on the main menu, click Project -> Add Class...
Set the Name to Property and press Enter

Change the file as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental2
{
    public enum Condition
    {
        Excellent,
        Good,
        NeedsRepair,
        Unknown
    }

    public class Property
    {
        private long propCode;
        private Condition cond;
        private short beds;
        private float baths;
        private decimal val;

        public long PropertyCode
        {
            get { return propCode; }
            set { propCode = value; }
        }

        public Condition PropertyCondition
        {
            get { return cond; }
            set { cond = value; }
        }

        public short Bedrooms
        {
            get { return beds; }
            set { beds = value; }
        }

        public float Bathrooms
        {
            get { return (baths <= 0) ? 0.00f : baths; }
            set { baths = value; }
        }

        public decimal MonthlyRent
        {
            get { return (val <= 0) ? 0.00M : val; }
            set { val = value; }
        }

        public Property()
        {
            Random rnd = new Random();
            propCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            cond = Condition.Unknown;
            beds = 0;
            baths = 0.0f;
            val = 0.00M;
        }

        public override string ToString()
        {
            return "Property #:   " + PropertyCode +
                   "\nCondition:    " + PropertyCondition +
                   "\nBedrooms:     " + Bedrooms +
                   "\nBathrooms:    " + Bathrooms +
                   "\nMonthly Rent: " + MonthlyRent.ToString("C");
        }
    }
}

To create a new class, on the main menu, click Project -> Add Class...
Set the Name to PropertyListing and press Enter

Change the file as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental2
{
    public class PropertyListing
    {
        public Property[] props;

        public string this[long code]
        {
            get
            {
                for (int i = 0; i < props.Length; i++)
                    if (code == props[i].PropertyCode)
                        return "Property #:   " + props[i].PropertyCode +
                               "\nCondition:    " + props[i].PropertyCondition +
                               "\nBedrooms:     " + props[i].Bedrooms +
                               "\nBathrooms:    " + props[i].Bathrooms +
                               "\nMonthly Rent: " + 
				props[i].MonthlyRent.ToString("C");
                return "Unidentifiable Property";
            }
        }

        public PropertyListing()
        {
            Random rnd = new Random();
            props = new Property[40];

            // Create a few properties ready to be rented
            props[0] = new Property();
            props[0].PropertyCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            props[0].PropertyCondition = Condition.Excellent;
            props[0].Bedrooms = 5;
            props[0].Bathrooms = 3.5f;
            props[0].MonthlyRent = 2650;

            props[1] = new Property();
            props[1].PropertyCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            props[1].PropertyCondition = Condition.Excellent;
            props[1].Bedrooms = 3;
            props[1].Bathrooms = 2.5f;
            props[1].MonthlyRent = 1750;

            props[2] = new Property();
            props[2].PropertyCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            props[2].PropertyCondition = Condition.Good;
            props[2].Bedrooms = 4;
            props[2].Bathrooms = 2.5f;
            props[2].MonthlyRent = 2450;

            props[3] = new Property();
            props[3].PropertyCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            props[3].PropertyCondition = Condition.Excellent;
            props[3].Bedrooms = 1;
            props[3].Bathrooms = 1.0f;
            props[3].MonthlyRent = 880;

            props[4] = new Property();
            props[4].PropertyCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            props[4].PropertyCondition = Condition.Excellent;
            props[4].Bedrooms = 3;
            props[4].Bathrooms = 2.5f;
            props[4].MonthlyRent = 1880;

            props[5] = new Property();
            props[5].PropertyCode = rnd.Next(100000, 999999);
            props[5].PropertyCondition = Condition.Good;
            props[5].Bedrooms = 2;
            props[5].Bathrooms = 1.0f;
            props[5].MonthlyRent = 1050;

            // Since we don't yet have a complete list of properties
            // Create some empty ones
            for (int i = 6; i < 40; i++)
            {
                props[i] = new Property();
            }
        }
    }
}

Access the Program.cs file and change it as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental2
{
    public class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            PropertyListing properties = new PropertyListing();
            long lngCode;

            Console.WriteLine("Here is a list of our properties by code");
            for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
                Console.WriteLine("Property Code: {0}",
			properties.props[i].PropertyCode);

            try
            {
                Console.Write("Enter Property Code: ");
                lngCode = long.Parse(Console.ReadLine());

                Console.WriteLine("======================================");
                Console.WriteLine("Property Information");
                Console.WriteLine("--------------------------------------");
                Console.WriteLine(properties[lngCode]);
                Console.WriteLine("======================================");

            }
            catch (FormatException)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("=- Invalid Property Code -=");
            }
        }
    }
}

Press Ctrl + F5 to execute the application. Here is an example:

Here is a list of our properties by code
Property Code: 355443
Property Code: 653004
Property Code: 800118
Property Code: 839375
Property Code: 148561
Property Code: 697001
Enter Property Code: 697001
======================================
Property Information
--------------------------------------
Property #:   697001
Condition:    Good
Bedrooms:     2
Bathrooms:    1
Monthly Rent: $1,050.00
======================================
Press any key to continue . . .

Close the DOS window

An Integer-Based Indexed Property

Before designing an indexer that is class-based, first create the class that will be used as the data type. The class can be simple or complex as you judge it necessary. Here is an example of a simple class:

public class Student
{
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public int Gender;
}

When creating the class that will host the indexed property, declare an array field for the class. Then, create the this property with the desired accessor(s). Here is an example:

public class Student
{
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public int Gender;
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] std = new Student[5];

    public Student this[int i]
    {
        get { return std[i]; }
    }
}

After creating the indexing class, you can use it and access the indexer; for example, you can retrieve its value(s). Here is an example:

using System;

public class Student
{
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public int Gender;
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] std = new Student[5];

    public Student this[int i]
    {
        get { return std[i]; }
    }

    public SchoolRegistration()
    {
        std[0] = new Student();
        std[0].FirstName = "Alfredo";
        std[0].LastName = "Olmos";
        std[0].Gender = 2;

        std[1] = new Student();
        std[1].FirstName = "Patricia";
        std[1].LastName = "Katts";
        std[1].Gender = 1;

        std[2] = new Student();
        std[2].FirstName = "Josiane";
        std[2].LastName = "Euler";
        std[2].Gender = 1;

        std[3] = new Student();
        std[3].FirstName = "Joan";
        std[3].LastName = "Jones";
        std[3].Gender = 3;

        std[4] = new Student();
        std[4].FirstName = "George";
        std[4].LastName = "Paulson";
        std[4].Gender = 2;
    }
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var pupils = new SchoolRegistration();

        for (var i = 0; i < 5; i++)
        {
	    Student pupil = pupils[i];

            Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
            Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
            Console.WriteLine("First Name: {0}", pupil.FirstName);
            Console.WriteLine("Last Name:  {0}", pupil.LastName);
            Console.WriteLine("Gender:     {0}\n",
                             (pupil.Gender == 1 ? "Female" :
                             (pupil.Gender == 2 ? "Male" : "Unknown")));
        }

        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Alfredo
Last Name:  Olmos
Gender:     Male

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Patricia
Last Name:  Katts
Gender:     Female

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Josiane
Last Name:  Euler
Gender:     Female

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Joan
Last Name:  Jones
Gender:     Unknown

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: George
Last Name:  Paulson
Gender:     Male

Press any key to continue . . .

Practical Learning: Using an Integer-Based Indexer

To create an indexer that takes an integer and returns an object, access the PropertyListing.cs file and change it as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental1
{
    public class PropertyListing
    {
        public Property[] props;

        public Property this[int i]
        {
            get { return props[i]; }
        }

        public PropertyListing()
        {
            . . . No Change
        }
    }
}

Access the Program.cs file and change it as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental2
{
    public class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            PropertyListing properties = new PropertyListing();

            Console.WriteLine("Here is a list of our properties");
            for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
            {
                Property prop = properties[i];

                Console.WriteLine("Property Information");
                Console.WriteLine("--------------------------------------");
                Console.WriteLine("Property #:   {0}", prop.PropertyCode);
                Console.WriteLine("Condition:    {0}", 
				  prop.PropertyCondition);
                Console.WriteLine("Bedrooms:     {0}", prop.Bedrooms);
                Console.WriteLine("Bathrooms:    {0}", prop.Bathrooms);
                Console.WriteLine("Monthly Rent: {0}", 
		    		  prop.MonthlyRent.ToString("C"));
                Console.WriteLine("======================================");
            }
        }
    }
}

Press Ctrl + F5 to execute the application
Close the DOS window

An Indexed Property Using Another Primitive Type

The above implementation of the SchoolRegistration class easily allowed us to locate an element of the array by specifying its integer-based index. As done for primitive types, an indexer can take a parameter other than an integer. In some cases, you may use your class or a class created by someone else and need to access an element of the array without information other than its index. Consider the following program:

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;

    public override string ToString()
    {
        string str = "Student ID: " + StudentID +
                     "\nFirst Name: " + FirstName +
                     "\nLast Name:  " + LastName +
                     "\nGender:     " + Gender;
        return str;
    }
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] std = new Student[50];

    public Student this[...]
    {
    }
}

Previously, we saw that you could create an indexer that takes a type than an integer. For example, we saw that a string could be used as an index.

By now, we know that a basic indexed property produces (or all the indexed properties we have studied so far produce) only one value. If you have a class that has only one field, this would be enough. In reality, most of the time, a class has many fields. In such a case, when you create an indexer , you need to be able to refer to one exact element of the array. To make this possible, you must define a way to point to the particular element you want. One way you can do this is to use one field of the class as a reference. This is better if that field holds unique values among the other elements of the array. For our Student class, we could use the StudentID field (because we will make sure that each student has a unique ID). You can start the property as follows:

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] std = new Student[5];

    public Student this[long id]
    {
    }
}

When a user uses this property, he or she must provide a value that uniquely identifies an element of the array. You in turn, when you get this value, you can search for it in the array. If you find it and the array has a get accessor, you can then return the desired but appropriate value. Here is how this can be done:

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] students = new Student[50];

    public Student this[long id]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < students.Length; i++)
            {
                if (students[i].StudentID == id)
                    return students[i];
            }
            // Unknown student or the number was not found
            return null;
        }
    }
}

After creating the indexer, you can use it. Once again, you must follow the rules of a method that takes an argument and returns a value other than void. In this case, the indexer must take a string and it must return a Student object. Here is an example:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;

    public override string ToString()
    {
        string str = "Student ID: " + StudentID +
                     "\nFirst Name: " + FirstName +
                     "\nLast Name:  " + LastName +
                     "\nGender:     " + Gender;
        return str;
    }
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] students = new Student[50];

    public Student this[long id]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < students.Length; i++)
            {
                if (students[i].StudentID == id)
                    return students[i];
            }
            // Unknown student or the number was not found
            return null;
        }
    }

    public SchoolRegistration()
    {
        students[0] = new Student();
        students[0].StudentID = 917294;
        students[0].FirstName = "Helene";
        students[0].LastName = "Mukoko";
        students[0].Gender = Classification.Female;

        students[1] = new Student();
        students[1].StudentID = 283764;
        students[1].FirstName = "Patrice";
        students[1].LastName = "Katts";
        students[1].Gender = Classification.Unknown;

        students[2] = new Student();
        students[2].StudentID = 192046;
        students[2].FirstName = "Armand";
        students[2].LastName = "Essono";
        students[2].Gender = Classification.Male;

        students[3] = new Student();
        students[3].StudentID = 618268;
        students[3].FirstName = "Bertrand";
        students[3].LastName = "Yamaguchi";
        students[3].Gender = Classification.Male;

        students[4] = new Student();
        students[4].StudentID = 820648;
        students[4].FirstName = "Hortense";
        students[4].LastName = "McNeal";
        students[4].Gender = Classification.Female;
    }
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var pupils = new SchoolRegistration();
        var pupil = pupils[820648];

        Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
        Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
        Console.WriteLine("First Name: {0}", pupil.FirstName);
        Console.WriteLine("Last Name:  {0}", pupil.LastName);
        Console.WriteLine("Gender:     {0}\n", pupil.Gender);

        pupil = pupils[192046];

        Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
        Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
        Console.WriteLine("First Name: {0}", pupil.FirstName);
        Console.WriteLine("Last Name:  {0}", pupil.LastName);
        Console.WriteLine("Gender:     {0}\n", pupil.Gender);

        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Hortense
Last Name:  McNeal
Gender:     Female

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Armand
Last Name:  Essono
Gender:     Male

Press any key to continue . . .

Topics on Indexed Properties and Classes

A Class as Index

As opposed to returning a class, an indexer can use a class as its index. When creating such a property, the primary action you must take is to include a class and its name as a parameter to the this property. You can start such a class as follows:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    public string this[Student std]
    {
    }
}

When implementing the class, you should proceed the same way we have done so far following the rules of a method that takes an argument and returns a value other than void. Here is an example:

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] students = new Student[50];

    public string this[Student std]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < students.Length; i++)
            {
                if (std.StudentID == students[i].StudentID)

                    return "Student ID: " + students[i].StudentID +
                           "\nFirst Name: " + students[i].FirstName +
                           "\nLast Name:  " + students[i].LastName +
                           "\nGender:     " + students[i].Gender;
            }

            // Unknown student or the number was not found
            return "";
        }
    }
}

After creating the property, you can use it. To do this, you must pass an object that is the type of the index. You can then use the returned value as you see fit. Here is an example:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] students = new Student[50];

    public string this[Student std]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < students.Length; i++)
            {
                if (std.StudentID == students[i].StudentID)

                    return "Student ID: " + students[i].StudentID +
                           "\nFirst Name: " + students[i].FirstName +
                           "\nLast Name:  " + students[i].LastName +
                           "\nGender:     " + students[i].Gender;
            }

            // Unknown student or the number was not found
            return "";
        }
    }

    public SchoolRegistration()
    {
        students[0] = new Student();
        students[0].StudentID = 917294;
        students[0].FirstName = "Helene";
        students[0].LastName = "Mukoko";
        students[0].Gender = Classification.Female;

        students[1] = new Student();
        students[1].StudentID = 283764;
        students[1].FirstName = "Patrice";
        students[1].LastName = "Katts";
        students[1].Gender = Classification.Unknown;

        students[2] = new Student();
        students[2].StudentID = 192046;
        students[2].FirstName = "Armand";
        students[2].LastName = "Essono";
        students[2].Gender = Classification.Male;

        students[3] = new Student();
        students[3].StudentID = 618268;
        students[3].FirstName = "Bertrand";
        students[3].LastName = "Yamaguchi";
        students[3].Gender = Classification.Male;

        students[4] = new Student();
        students[4].StudentID = 820648;
        students[4].FirstName = "Hortense";
        students[4].LastName = "McNeal";
        students[4].Gender = Classification.Female;

        students[5] = new Student();
        students[5].StudentID  = 917394;
        students[5].FirstName = "Alfredo";
        students[5].LastName = "Olmos";
        students[5].Gender = Classification.Unknown;

        students[6] = new Student();
        students[6].StudentID  = 163864;
        students[6].FirstName = "Josiane";
        students[6].LastName = "Euler";
        students[6].Gender = Classification.Female;

        students[7] = new Student();
        students[7].StudentID  = 826384;
        students[7].FirstName = "Joan";
        students[7].LastName = "Jones";
        students[7].Gender =  Classification.Female ;
    }
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var pupils = new SchoolRegistration();

        var pupil = new Student();
        pupil.StudentID = 820648;

        var strStudent = pupils[pupil];
        Console.WriteLine("=====================");
        Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
        Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
        Console.WriteLine(strStudent);

        //pupil = new Student();
        pupil.StudentID = 192046;
        strStudent = pupils[pupil];

        Console.WriteLine("=====================");
        Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
        Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
        Console.WriteLine(strStudent);

        Console.WriteLine("=====================\n");
        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

=====================
Student Information
---------------------
Student ID: 820648
First Name: Hortense
Last Name:  McNeal
Gender:     Female
=====================
Student Information
---------------------
Student ID: 192046
First Name: Armand
Last Name:  Essono
Gender:     Male
=====================

Press any key to continue . . .

You can also directly pass an instance of the class in the square brackets of the object that holds the indexed property, as long as you specify the object. Here is an example:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;

    public Student()
    {
    }

    public Student(long id)
    {
        this.StudentID = id;
    }
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] students = new Student[50];

    public string this[Student std]
    {
        . . . No Change
    }

    public SchoolRegistration()
    {
        . . . No Change
    }
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var pupils = new SchoolRegistration();

        var strStudent = pupils[new Student(618268)];

        Console.WriteLine("=====================");
        Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
        Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
        Console.WriteLine(strStudent);

        Console.WriteLine("=====================\n");
        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

=====================
Student Information
---------------------
Student ID: 618268
First Name: Bertrand
Last Name:  Yamaguchi
Gender:     Male
=====================

Press any key to continue . . .

Overloading a Class-Based Indexed Property

As mentioned for indexers that return primitive types, you can overload an indexed property that produces a class. You do this following the same rules applied to method overloading and arrays:

If two indexed properties take only one parameter, each must take a different type of parameter than the other. The parameter can be a primitive type or a class. Here are examples:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Major
{
    public string Name;
    public int CreditsRequired;
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentNumber;
    public string FullName;
    public Classification Gender;

    public override string ToString()
    {
        string str = "Student #:     " + StudentNumber.ToString() +
                     "\nFull Name:     " + FullName +
                     "\nGender:        " + Gender;
        return str;
    }
}

public class StudentRegistration
{
    private Student[] std = new Student[5];

    public StudentRegistration()
    {
        std[0] = new Student();
        std[0].StudentNumber = 304850;
        std[0].FullName = "Helene Mukoko";
        std[0].Gender = Classification.Female;

        std[1] = new Student();
        std[1].StudentNumber = 926304;
        std[1].FullName = "Patrice Katts";
        std[1].Gender = Classification.Unknown;

        std[2] = new Student();
        std[2].StudentNumber = 330647;
        std[2].FullName = "Armand Essono";
        std[2].Gender = Classification.Male;

        std[3] = new Student();
        std[3].StudentNumber = 631846;
        std[3].FullName = "Bertrand Yamaguchi";
        std[3].Gender = Classification.Male;

        std[4] = new Student();
        std[4].StudentNumber = 209374;
        std[4].FullName = "Anselme Bongos";
        std[4].Gender = Classification.Male;
    }

    // This property takes a string and produces a Student object
    public Student this[string strFullName]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < std.Length; i++)
            {
                if (std[i].FullName == strFullName)
                    return std[i];
            }
            return null;
        }
    }

    // This property takes a number and produces a Student object
    public Student this[long nbr]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < std.Length; i++)
            {
                if( nbr == std[i].StudentNumber )
                    return std[i];
            }
            return null;
        }
    }

    // This property takes a major produces its definition
    public string this[Major maj]
    {
        get
        {
            return "Major: " + maj.Name +
                   " - " + maj.CreditsRequired +
                   " Credits Required";
        }
    } 
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var pupils = new StudentRegistration();

        var m1 = new Major();
        m1.Name = "Computer Sciences";
        m1.CreditsRequired = 120;

        var m2 = new Major();
        m2.Name = "Informtation Technology";
        m2.CreditsRequired = 120;

        Console.WriteLine("=-= Student Identification =-=");
        Console.WriteLine(pupils["Helene Mukoko"]);
        Console.WriteLine(pupils[m1]);
    Console.WriteLine("--------------------------------------------------");

        Console.WriteLine("=-= Student Identification =-=");
        Console.WriteLine(pupils[330647]);
        Console.WriteLine(pupils[m2]);
    Console.WriteLine("--------------------------------------------------");
        Console.WriteLine();

        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

=-= Student Identification =-=
Student #:     304850
Full Name:     Helene Mukoko
Gender:        Female
Major: Computer Sciences - 120 Credits Required
--------------------------------------------------
=-= Student Identification =-=
Student #:     330647
Full Name:     Armand Essono
Gender:        Male
Major: Information Technology - 120 Credits Required
--------------------------------------------------

Press any key to continue . . .

If one property takes only one parameter, the other(s) can take more than one parameter. An indexed property can take different parameters of primitive types as seen in the previous lesson. An indexer can also take two or more classes as parameters. An indexed property can also take a mix of primitive and class types as parameters.
Here are examples:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;

    public Student()
    {
    }

    public Student(long id)
    {
        this.StudentID = id;
    }

    public override string ToString()
    {
        return "Student ID:  " + StudentID +
               "\nFirst Name:  " + FirstName +
               "\nLast Name:   " + LastName +
               "\nGender:      " + Gender;
    }
}

public enum CourseDelivery
{
    FaceToFace,
    Online,
    Both // Student Choose
}

public class Course
{
    public string  ShortName;
    public string  LongName;
    public string Description;
    public int Credits;
    public CourseDelivery DeliveryMode;

    public Course()
    {
    }

    public Course(string name)
    {
        ShortName = name;
    }

    public override string ToString()
    {
        return "Course:      " + ShortName +
               "\nFull Name:   " + LongName +
               "\nCredits:     " + Credits +
               "\nDescription: " + Description +
               "\nDelivery:    " + DeliveryMode;
    }
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] students = new Student[50];
    Course[] classes = new Course[3];

    // This indexer takes a student id and 
    // returns the student information
    public Student this[long id]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < students.Length; i++)
            {
                if (id == students[i].StudentID)
                    return students[i];
            }
            // Unknown student or the number was not found
            return null;
        }
    }

    // This indexer takes a course short name and 
    // it produces a summary of the course information
    public Course this[string name]
    {
        get
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < classes.Length; i++)
            {
                if (name == classes[i].ShortName)
                    return classes[i];
            }

            // Unknown course
            return null;
        }
    }

    public string this[Course ToAttend, Student registrant]
    {
        get
        {
            // First check that the class exists
            for (int i = 0; i < classes.Length; i++)
            {
                if (ToAttend.ShortName == classes[i].ShortName)
                {
                    // If the class exists, then check if the student exists
                    for (int j = 0; j < students.Length; j++)
                    {
                        if (registrant.StudentID == students[j].StudentID)
                        {
                            return "Student Identification --\n   " +
				   "Student ID: " +
                                   students[j].StudentID +
                                   "\n   Full Name:  " + students[j].LastName +
                                   ", " + students[j].FirstName +
                                   "\nClass to Attend --\n   Course:     " +
                                   classes[i].ShortName + " - " +
                                   classes[i].LongName + " (" +
                                   classes[i].Credits + ")" +
                                   "\n   Delivery:   " +
                                   classes[i].DeliveryMode;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }

            return "Invalid Registration - You may have to start over";
        }
    }

    // This property takes information used to register 
    // a student to a course
    // It also specifies whether the student is willing 
    // to get in the waiting list in case another students drops out
    public string this[Student stud, Course Class, bool WaitingList]
    {
        get
        {
            // Check that the student information is valie
            for (int j = 0; j < students.Length; j++)
            {
                if (stud.StudentID == students[j].StudentID)
                {
                    // Now that the student information has been found,
                    // check if the course information is correct
                    for (int i = 0; i < classes.Length; i++)
                    {
                        if (Class.ShortName == classes[i].ShortName)
                        {
                            // If the class exists, then check
			   // if the student exists
                            return "Student Identification --\n   " +
				   "Student ID: " +
                                   students[j].StudentID +
                                   "\n   Full Name:  " + students[j].LastName +
                                   ", " + students[j].FirstName +
                                   "\nClass to Attend --\n   Course:     " +
                                   classes[i].ShortName + " - " +
                                   classes[i].LongName + " (" +
                                   classes[i].Credits + ")" +
                                   "\n   Delivery:   " +
                                   classes[i].DeliveryMode +
                                   "\nStudent is willing to get " +
				   "on the waiting list: "
				   + WaitingList;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }

            return "Invalid Registration - You may have to start over";
        }
    }

        public SchoolRegistration()
    {
        students[0] = new Student();
        students[0].StudentID = 917294;
        students[0].FirstName = "Helene";
        students[0].LastName = "Mukoko";
        students[0].Gender = Classification.Female;

        students[1] = new Student();
        students[1].StudentID = 283764;
        students[1].FirstName = "Patrice";
        students[1].LastName = "Katts";
        students[1].Gender = Classification.Unknown;

        students[2] = new Student();
        students[2].StudentID = 192046;
        students[2].FirstName = "Armand";
        students[2].LastName = "Essono";
        students[2].Gender = Classification.Male;

        students[3] = new Student();
        students[3].StudentID = 618268;
        students[3].FirstName = "Bertrand";
        students[3].LastName = "Yamaguchi";
        students[3].Gender = Classification.Male;

        students[4] = new Student();
        students[4].StudentID = 820648;
        students[4].FirstName = "Hortense";
        students[4].LastName = "McNeal";
        students[4].Gender = Classification.Female;

        classes[0] = new Course();
        classes[0].ShortName = "PHIL140";
        classes[0].LongName = "Philosophy - Contemporary Moral Issues";
        classes[0].Credits = 3;
        classes[0].Description = "An exploration of how " +
				 "philosophical analysis can be " +
                                 "\n\t\ta foundation for thinking " +
				 "clearly about moral issues. " +
                                 "\n\t\tProblems analyzed include such " +
				 "widely debated issues " +
                                 "\n\t\tas abortion, euthanasia, " +
				 "the death penalty, " +
                                 "\n\t\thomosexuality, pornography, " +
				 "reverse discrimination, " +
                                 "\n\t\tbusiness ethics, sexual " +
				 "equality, and economic equity.";
        classes[1] = new Course();
        classes[1].ShortName = "MATH140";
        classes[1].LongName = "Calculus I";
        classes[1].Credits = 4;
        classes[1].Description = "An introduction to calculus. " +
				 "Topics include functions, " +
                                 "\n\t\tthe sketching of graphs of " +
				 "functions, limits, continuity, " +
                                 "\n\t\tderivatives and applications of " +
				 "the derivative, definite " +
                                 "\n\t\tand indefinite integrals, " +
				 "and calculation of area.";
        classes[2] = new Course();
        classes[2].ShortName = "ASTR100";
        classes[2].LongName = "Introduction to Astronomy";
        classes[2].Credits = 3;
        classes[2].Description = "A discussion of the major areas " +
				 "of astronomy. Topics " +
                                 "\n\t\tinclude the solar system, " +
				 "stars and stellar evolution, " +
                                 "\n\t\tand galaxies. Current topics " +
				 "in astronomy are also " +
                                 "\n\t\tdiscussed.";
    }
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var pupils = new SchoolRegistration();

        Student std = new Student(917294);
        Course crs = new Course("MATH140"); 
        Console.WriteLine("================================================");
        Console.WriteLine("Student Registration");
        Console.WriteLine("------------------------------------------");
        Console.WriteLine(pupils[crs, std]);

        std = new Student(820648);
        crs = new Course("PHIL140");
        Console.WriteLine("================================================");
        Console.WriteLine("Student Registration");
        Console.WriteLine("------------------------------------------");
        Console.WriteLine(pupils[std, crs, true]);

    Console.WriteLine("================================================\n");
        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

================================================
Student Registration
------------------------------------------
Student Identification --
   Student ID: 917294
   Full Name:  Mukoko, Helene
Class to Attend --
   Course:     MATH140 - Calculus I (4)
   Delivery:   FaceToFace
================================================
Student Registration
------------------------------------------
Student Identification --
   Student ID: 820648
   Full Name:  McNeal, Hortense
Class to Attend --
   Course:     PHIL140 - Philosophy - Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
   Delivery:   FaceToFace
Student is willing to get on the waiting list: True
================================================

Press any key to continue . . .

Practical Learning: Overloading an Indexer

To overload the indexer, access the PropertyListing.cs file and change it as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental1
{
    public class PropertyListing
    {
        public Property[] props;

        public Property this[int i]
        {
            get
            {
                if ((i >= 0) && (i < 40))
                    return props[i];
                else return null;
            }
        }

        public Property this[long code]
        {
            get
            {
                for (int i = 0; i < props.Length; i++)
                    if (code == props[i].PropertyCode)
                        return props[i];
                return null;
            }
        }

        public PropertyListing()
        {
            . . . No Change
        }
    }
}

Access the Program.cs file and change it as follows:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

namespace PropertyRental2
{
    public class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            PropertyListing properties = new PropertyListing();
            long lngCode;

            Console.WriteLine("Here is a list of our properties by code");
            for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
                Console.WriteLine("Property Code: {0}",
			properties.props[i].PropertyCode);

            try
            {
                Console.Write("Enter Property Code: ");
                lngCode = long.Parse(Console.ReadLine());

                Console.WriteLine("======================================");
                Console.WriteLine("Property Information");
                Console.WriteLine("--------------------------------------");
                Console.WriteLine(properties[lngCode]);
                Console.WriteLine("======================================");

            }
            catch (FormatException)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("=- Invalid Property Code -=");
            }
        }
    }
}

Press Ctrl + F5 to execute the application
Close the DOS window

Read/Write Indexed Properties

As done for a primitive type, you can allow the clients of your indexer to assign values to the array's elements. Once again, when defining the property, you should include a set accessor to it. In the set accessor, you should assign the value keyword to an element of the array. Here is an example:

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] std = new Student[5];

    public Student this[int i]
    {
        get { return std[i]; }
        set { std[i] = value; }
    }
}

After doing this, you can create an element of the array by applying the square brackets to the instance of the class and assigning the desired value to it. The problem with the class is that, since it may have many fields (or properties), to completely define each element, you must provide a value to the member variables of the class itself. Here is an example:

using System;

public enum Classification
{
    Female,
    Male,
    Unknown
}

public class Student
{
    public long StudentID;
    public string FirstName;
    public string LastName;
    public Classification Gender;

    public override string ToString()
    {
        string str = "Student ID: " + StudentID +
                     "\nFirst Name: " + FirstName +
                     "\nLast Name:  " + LastName +
                     "\nGender:     " + Gender;
        return str;
    }
}

public class SchoolRegistration
{
    Student[] std = new Student[5];

    public Student this[int i]
    {
        get { return std[i]; }
        set { std[i] = value; }
    }
}

public class Exercise
{
    static int Main(string[] args)
    {
        var registration = new SchoolRegistration();

        var stud = new Student();
        stud.StudentID = 604057;
        stud.FirstName = "Gertrude";
        stud.LastName = "Monayong";
        stud.Gender = Classification.Female;
        registration[2] = stud;

        Console.WriteLine("Student Information");
        Console.WriteLine("---------------------");
        Console.WriteLine("First Name: {0}", registration[2].FirstName);
        Console.WriteLine("Last Name:  {0}", registration[2].LastName);
        Console.WriteLine("Gender:     {0}\n",registration[2].Gender);
         
        return 0;
    }
}

This would produce:

Student Information
---------------------
First Name: Gertrude
Last Name:  Monayong
Gender:     Female

Press any key to continue . . .


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