Immutable local 'variables' in C#

Question

I'm new to C# (C++ programmer mainly, with Java as a strong second, and some others I use less often); I'm using C# with Unity, but I have a question that seems to be C# related rather than Unity.

I've been moving somewhat towards functional-style programming, i.e. instead of

// C++
int someFunction(int a) {
    int someCalculatedValue = a * a;
    someCalculatedValue /= 2;
    return someCalculatedValue * 3;
}

I'd do something like this

// Again C++
int someFunction(int a) {
    const int inputSquared = a * a;
    const int inputSquaredHalved = inputSquared / 2;
    return inputSquaredHalved * 3;
}

Now, I'd like to do that in C#, but I've tried this

// C#
const float maxGrowth = GrowthRate * Time.deltaTime;

But Mono complains, saying maxGrowth isn't being assigned a 'constant value' - so I'm assuming C#'s const keyword is actually equivalent to 'constexpr' from C++11?

If so, is there a way of doing what I want in C#? Preferably without invoking some container class (unless the compiler is good at making that efficient?).

I assume from what I've read C# is much closer to Java overall than C++ in language; immutable classes rather than const-member functions?

Answer 1

You can declare your local variable as an iteration variable. Iteration variables are readonly. Yes, it is ugly.

foreach (float maxGrowth in new[] { GrowthRate * Time.deltaTime })
{
  maxGrowth = 0; // won't compile: "error CS1656: Cannot assign to 'maxGrowth' because it is a 'foreach iteration variable'"
}

Answer 2

readonly

When a field declaration includes a readonly modifier, assignments to the fields introduced by the declaration can only occur as part of the declaration or in a constructor in the same class.

There's no equivalent for local variables. You'll have to make it a field.