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c#icomparable

Why does a generic and a non-generic IComparable interface exist?

Perhaps this question sounds silly, but why does a generic and a non-generic IComparable interface exist?

Furthermore, which one is prefered to use and why?

Solution

  • The non-generic IComparable was added in version 1.1 before generics were introduced, while IComparer<T> was added alongside generics in version 2.0.

    The generic version is preferred for the same reason as all generic interfaces - it is safer and documents the intent more clearly. Struct types also do not need to be boxed when passed to a generic method, as they would be for one with an object argument like IComparable.CompareTo so there is also a performance benefit.