C# Programming/Keywords/using


The using keyword has two completely unrelated meanings in C#, depending on if it is used as a directive or a statement.

The directive

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using as a directive resolves unqualified type references so that a developer doesn't have to specify the complete namespace.

Example:

using System;
 
// A developer can now type ''Console.WriteLine();'' rather than ''System.Console.WriteLine()''.

using can also provide a namespace alias for referencing types.

Example:

using utils = Company.Application.Utilities;

The statement

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using as a statement automatically calls the dispose on the specified object. The object must implement the IDisposable interface. It is possible to use several objects in one statement as long as they are of the same type.

Example:

using (System.IO.StreamReader reader = new StreamReader("readme.txt"))
{
    // read from the file
}
 
// The file readme.txt has now been closed automatically.

using (Font headerFont = new Font("Arial", 12.0f),
            textFont = new Font("Times New Roman", 10.0f))
{
    // Use headerFont and textFont.
}

// Both font objects are closed now.



C# Keywords
abstract as base bool break
byte case catch char checked
class const continue decimal default
delegate do double else enum
event explicit extern false finally
fixed float for foreach goto
if implicit in int interface
internal is lock long namespace
new null object operator out
override params private protected public
readonly ref return sbyte sealed
short sizeof stackalloc static string
struct switch this throw true
try typeof uint ulong unchecked
unsafe ushort using var virtual
void volatile while
Special C# Identifiers (Contextual Keywords)
add alias async await dynamic
get global nameof partial remove
set value when where yield
Contextual Keywords (Used in Queries)
ascending by descending equals from
group in into join let
on orderby select where