Class Architecture in C#

What is Class Architecture in C#?

Class architecture refers to the structured design and organization of classes in C#. A well-defined class architecture ensures maintainability, reusability, and scalability of code.

Key Components of a Class

A class in C# is a blueprint for creating objects. It typically consists of the following components:

• Fields: Variables that store data.
• Properties: Encapsulated access to fields.
• Constructors: Special methods that initialize objects.
• Methods: Functions that define class behavior.
• Events: Mechanism for event-driven programming.

Example of a Well-Structured Class

Below is an example of a well-structured class in C#:

Class Example:

public class Car
{
    // Fields
    private string model;
    private int speed;

    // Constructor
    public Car(string model, int speed)
    {
        this.model = model;
        this.speed = speed;
    }

    // Property
    public string Model
    {
        get { return model; }
        set { model = value; }
    }

    // Method
    public void Accelerate(int increase)
    {
        speed += increase;
        Console.WriteLine($"{model} is now running at {speed} km/h.");
    }
}

// Usage
Car car = new Car("Toyota", 50);
car.Accelerate(20);  // Output: Toyota is now running at 70 km/h.
        

In this example, the Car class includes fields, a constructor, a property, and a method, ensuring encapsulation and modular design.

Object-Oriented Principles in Class Design

A well-architected class follows core object-oriented programming (OOP) principles:

• Encapsulation: Protecting data by restricting direct access.
• Inheritance: Extending functionality using base and derived classes.
• Polymorphism: Allowing multiple methods to have the same name but different implementations.
• Abstraction: Hiding complex implementation details from the user.

Class vs Struct in C#

Best Practices for Class Architecture

• Follow Single Responsibility Principle (SRP) – Each class should have a single responsibility.
• Use Encapsulation to protect class data.
• Favor composition over inheritance for flexibility.
• Ensure loosely coupled design by avoiding direct dependencies.
• Make use of interfaces for better modularity and flexibility.