using ref with class C#

Question

I want to give a certain linked list to a class I am making. I want the class to write into that list (eg by .addLast()).

Should I use the ref keyword for that?

I am somewhat puzzled on where to use the ref and out keywords in C#, as all classes are allocated dynamically on the heap and we actually use pointers for most operations.
Of course, out and ref keywords make sense for primitives and structs.

Also, if I don't send the list directly, but send a class containing the list? (it's internal and needed), do I still need to use ref? or if I pass it between functions, ex:

void A(ref LinkedList<int> list){     B(list); }  void B(ref LinkedList<int> list){     _myList = list; } 

Answer 1

This is a common misconception of the use of ref keyword in C#. Its purpose is to pass either a value or a reference type by reference, and you only need it in specific circumstances where you need a direct reference to the actual argument, rather than a copy of the argument (be it a value or reference itself). It is imperative not to confuse reference types with passing by reference in any case.

Jon Skeet has written an excellent article about parameter passing in C#, which compares and contrasts value types, reference types, passing by value, passing by reference (ref), and output parameters (out). I recommend you take some time to read through this in full and your understanding should become much clearer.

To quote the most important parts from that page:

Value parameters:

By default, parameters are value parameters. This means that a new storage location is created for the variable in the function member declaration, and it starts off with the value that you specify in the function member invocation. If you change that value, that doesn't alter any variables involved in the invocation

Reference parameters:

Reference parameters don't pass the values of the variables used in the function member invocation - they use the variables themselves. Rather than creating a new storage location for the variable in the function member declaration, the same storage location is used, so the value of the variable in the function member and the value of the reference parameter will always be the same. Reference parameters need the ref modifier as part of both the declaration and the invocation - that means it's always clear when you're passing something by reference. Let's look at our previous examples, just changing the parameter to be a reference parameter:

To conclude: having read my reply and Jon Skeet's article, I hope that you will then see that there is no need whatsoever for using the ref keyword in the context of your question.