In C#, when I set a new list equal to another list, does it set the new list as a pointer to the other list or is it actually creating a new list?

Question

When I set a new list equal to another list, does it set the new list as a pointer to the other list or is it actually creating a new list?

For example,

Is...

List<SomeType> newList = oldList;

...the same as...

List<SomeType> newList = new List<SomeType>();
newList.AddRange(oldList);

(oldList is a list of SomeType as well)?

Answer 1

There will be one List and multiple references to it. This applies for all reference types (classes).

Value types (structs), on the other hand, are copied when assigned.

Answer 2

The assignment operator is not a cloning operator. In case of reference types, it copies values of references.