C# implement similar properties within a class using a "template"

Question

I've been wondering for a time now - in c# is there a way to define a "template" for several properties within a class. Here is what I mean: Let's assume I have the following class

class MyCLass
{
    public int  IntVal1 { get {...}; set{...} }
    public byte IntVal2 { get {...}; set{...} }
    ....
    public long IntValN { get {...}; set{...} }
}

I did not write any specific implementation in the get and set accessors but the idea is that all these properties have very similar implementations - the difference may be that they operate on different members of the class which have different types, but as a whole they all look alike.

My idea is to find a way to define some sort of (let's call it) "template" with some parameters probably that may be used to declare all these properties without the need to write the actual implementation of each and every one of them - maybe using attributes!?!

I guess what I need is similar to a C macro.

10x in advance

Answer 1

The short answer would be "no", but there are things you can do to reduce repetition. For example, consider:

private bool SetField<T>(ref T field, T value,
    [CallerMemberName] string memberName = null)
{
    if (!EqualityComparer<T>.Default.Equals(field, value))
    {
        field = value;
        var handler = PropertyChanged;
        if (handler != null) handler(this,
            new PropertyChangedEventArgs(memberName));
        return true;
    }
    return false;
}

which can be used to reduce overhead by something like:

private string bar;
public string Bar
{
    get { return bar; }
    set { SetField(ref bar, value); }
}

Answer 2

Yes, if I understand correctly, in C# we use Generics for this:

class MyCLass<T>
{
    public T Val { get {...}; set{...} }
}

T defines the type that you want to "template".

And you then use the class like this:

var myClassInt = new MyClass<int>();
myClassInt.Val // is an integer