How to initialize a string array in ONE go AFTER declaration? C#

Question

How can I initialize an array of strings in ONE go AFTER I declare it, not at that moment.

Example of what I don't want because I am aware you can do it like this:

string[] array = new string[2]; // creates array of length 2, default values
string[] array = new string[] { "A", "B" }; // creates populated array of length 2
string[] array = { "A" , "B" }; // creates populated array of length 2

Nor do I want it like this, because on a very long array, it would be very tedious:

array[0] = "a";
array[1] = "b";

I want to declare it first:

string[] array = new string[2];

Then I want some code to happen:

Console.WriteLine("The array has been made, time to fill it up");

And finally fill that array up, I've already tried the following ways but none of them work:

array { "a","b"};
array[] { "a","b"};
array = {"a","b"};
array[] = { "a", "b" };

Thank you ahead of time.

string[] array; ........................ array = new [] { "A", "B" }; — Patrick Artner
– Patrick Artner, Commented Feb 21, 2018 at 17:45

FaizanHussainRabbani · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-21 17:52:05Z

12

You can break declaration and initialization like:

string[] array;
Console.WriteLine("The array has been made, time to fill it up");
array = new[] {"a","b"};

edited Feb 21, 2018 at 17:52

answered Feb 21, 2018 at 17:46

FaizanHussainRabbani

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Comments

Haytam · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-21 17:48:26Z

3

That's not how arrays really work, when you create one you have to populate it OR re-create one and override the old value, so what you want is kind of not possible, at least not with arrays.

What you can do is either use a List and AddRange or use what Patrick Artner suggested in the comment below your post.

answered Feb 21, 2018 at 17:48

Haytam

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1 Comment

Arturo Lozano Over a year ago

I see what you mean, great input.

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