How can I make dictionary case insensitive

Question

I am trying to make Dictionary case insensitive. But, I declare it as a property, how can I make that insensitive.

I know that while defining, I can use it like :

var dict = new Dictionary<string, YourClass>(
        StringComparer.InvariantCultureIgnoreCase);

But, I am defining it in my interface and class respectively like

IDictionary<string, string> dict { get; }
public Dictionary<string, string> dict { get; set; }

How can I make this case insensitive ?

Answer 1

You mentioned that You define it in Your class like:

public Dictionary<string, string> dict { get; set; }

So, instead of using short form for auto properties, use the full form:

Dictionary<string, string> _dict = new Dictionary<string, string>(
    StringComparer.InvariantCultureIgnoreCase);
public Dictionary<string, string> dict
{
    get { return _dict; }
    set { _dict = value; }
}

If You are using C# 6.0, You could also probably even write it using the new auto property initializers syntax:

public Dictionary<string, string> dict { get; set; } = new Dictionary<string, string>(
    StringComparer.InvariantCultureIgnoreCase);

Links:

• C# : How C# 6.0 Simplifies, Clarifies and Condenses Your Code

Answer 2

The only way you could enforce it on the class or interface level is you make a new derived type and use that type.

public class CaseInsensitiveDictionary<TValue> : Dictionary<string, TValue>
{
    public CaseInsensitiveDictionary() : base(StringComparer.InvariantCultureIgnoreCase)
    {
    }
}

Then in your interface you would do

CaseInsensitiveDictionary<YourClass> { get; }