How do I generate a ToString() in Visual Studio that includes all properties?

Question

I'm a Java Developer, used to the 'generate toString()' option in Eclipse which offers a complete toString, printing values of all instance variables. I'm just looking for the comparable shortcut in Visual Studio.

I've seen how you can begin typing the method, "public override " and autocomplete will stub a ToString() but it will not fill it in with all the class properties.

    public override string ToString()
        {
            return base.ToString();
        }

I'd like the generated method to include all properties of the class.

Answer 1

Option 1: Reflection

You could do this by using reflection. But that can cause performance issues if you have to call that method very often in a short time. And it is not that trivial to code with reflection.

• Dynamic override of ToString() using Reflection
• How do I automatically display all properties of a class and their values in a string?

Option 2: Resharper

The Visual Studio addon Resharper has this feature:
alt + Insert -> Generate -> Formatting members -> select all -> finish

• https://www.jetbrains.com/help/resharper/Code_Generation__Formatting_Members.html

Option 3: Fody/ToString nuget package

Probably the easiest solution, when you only need public properties. It does not work with public fields.

• https://github.com/Fody/ToString

Option 4: serialize to JSON

For .Net-Framework with the NewtonSoft.Json nuget

• get the NewtonSoft.Json nuget https://www.nuget.org/packages/Newtonsoft.Json
• serialize the object like this: https://www.newtonsoft.com/json/help/html/SerializeObject.htm

using Newtonsoft.Json;

public override string ToString()
{
    return JsonConvert.SerializeObject(this);
}

for .Net 5 and newer with System.Text.Json

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/serialization/system-text-json-how-to?pivots=dotnet-6-0#how-to-write-net-objects-as-json-serialize

using System.Text.Json;

public override string ToString()
{
    return JsonSerializer.Serialize(this);
}