[ChatGPT-4] C# struct vs class

Certainly! Let’s explore the differences between classes and structs in C#:

1. Type Category:
   • Class: A class is a reference type. Instances of classes are allocated on the heap, and they are managed by the garbage collector.
   • Struct: A struct is a value type. Instances of structs are allocated either on the stack or inline within containing types. They are deallocated when the stack unwinds or when their containing type gets deallocated1.
2. Memory Allocation:
   • Class: Allocated on the heap.
   • Struct: Allocated on the stack or inline in containing types (based on compiler optimizations). Value type allocations and deallocations are generally cheaper than reference type allocations and deallocations1.
3. Inheritance and Polymorphism:
   • Class: Supports inheritance and polymorphism.
   • Struct: Does not support inheritance and cannot be inherited from another struct or class. It also cannot be a base class2.
4. Default Constructor and Destructor:
   • Class: Can have default constructors and destructors.
   • Struct: Cannot have default constructors or destructors2.
5. Access Modifiers:
   • Class: Members are private by default.
   • Struct: All members are public by default3.

In summary, choose a class when you need inheritance, polymorphism, or more complex behavior. Use a struct when you want a lightweight value type with better performance and no inheritance requirements. Keep in mind that excessive boxing and unboxing can impact performance when working with structs4. 🚀