C# syntax sugar - new way to set object attributes?

Question

For the hardcore C# coders here, this might seem like a completely stupid question - however, I just came across a snippet of sample code in the AWS SDK forum and was completely sideswiped by it:

   RunInstancesRequest runInstance = new RunInstancesRequest()
    .WithMinCount(1)
    .WithMaxCount(1)
    .WithImageId(GetXMLElement("ami"))
    .WithInstanceType("t1.micro");

This is very reminiscent of the old VB6 With ... End With syntax, which I have long lamented the absence of in C# - I've compiled it in my VS2008 project and it works a treat, saving numerous separate lines referencing these attributes individually.

I'm sure I've read articles in the past explaining why the VB6-style With-block wasn't in C#, so my question is: has this syntax always existed in the language, or is it a recent .NET change that has enabled it? Can we coat all object instantiations followed by attribute changes in the same sugar?

Answer 1

Isn't this better anyway?

RunInstancesRequest runInstance = new RunInstancesRequest 
{
    MinCount = 1, 
    MaxCount = 1, 
    ImageId = GetXMLEleemnt("ami"), 
    InstanceType = "t1.micro"
};

Answer 2

They implemented all those methods, each of which will also be returning the RunInstancesRequest object (aka, this). It's called a Fluent Interface