We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Sandor Maraczy

Delegates are very useful in C#, but the concept behind delegates might be hard to fully understand, therefore can be confusing for a lot of C# developers.

It is inevitable for a C# developer to notice the scenarios while coding, when the use of a delegate could come in very handy. I will be your guide through your delegate learning path, and make it simple for you to understand through my logically built examples.

This is my first course, which gives an introduction to the C# delegates.

Read more

Delegates are very useful in C#, but the concept behind delegates might be hard to fully understand, therefore can be confusing for a lot of C# developers.

It is inevitable for a C# developer to notice the scenarios while coding, when the use of a delegate could come in very handy. I will be your guide through your delegate learning path, and make it simple for you to understand through my logically built examples.

This is my first course, which gives an introduction to the C# delegates.

If you follow along, you will understand the delegate related topics much easier: Events, Lambda expressions, LINQ. Anonymous methods, Events, and Lambdas will be also covered in the future sections of this course.

LINQ can make your C# code more powerful, and simpler, because it gives you an easy and concise way to query objects. But in order to use it, you first need to understand how delegates work.

Why should you take this course instead of watching Youtube videos about delegates?

  • Because this course will give you an in depth introduction to delegates
  • Because one simple example may not be enough for you to recognize the situation for a delegate to be useful in software development
  • Because instead of declaring one simple example, I'll cover logically built, more realistic examples to make the topic simple for you to learn and understand
  • You will learn how Action<T>, and Func<T, TResult> work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries

What will you learn in this course?

  • You will learn what a delegate is
  • You will learn how to create and use delegates
  • You will see the difference of direct method invocation and delegate invocation
  • You will see how useful delegates can be through logical examples
  • How to avoid code duplication by using delegates
  • How to invoke multiple methods through delegates
  • How delegate inference can help us to write simpler code
  • How to use Action, Action<T>, Func<T, TResult>

Why should every C# developer be familiar with the concept of delegates?

  • Delegates are extremely critical part of the .NET Framework
  • Might be the solution for a lot of problems when developing a software
  • Using delegates will allow better code reuse to your software
  • Your code can become more flexible and powerful when using C# delegates
  • You will very commonly use delegates, when using events, creating LINQ queries etc.
Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Create and use delegates
  • Understand the real purpose of using delegates even without events in object-oriented programming
  • Recognize the scenarios, when you could make use of the delegates
  • Invoke multiple methods through a delegate
  • You will not only learn delegates in an easy way, but fully understand the concept of it
  • Create and use the built in action<t>
  • Create and use the built in func<t, tresult>

Syllabus

Course Introduction
What is this course?
Introduction to C# delegates

You will learn what a delegate is, how it can be declared, instantiated, explained through my slides

Read more

You can now start coding with me, and see how a custom delegate is used in code

We assume that we got new requirements, and we will see a solution to this problem without using delegate, which will end in code duplication ("Code smell")

We will refactor the example, seen in the previous lecture, to a better design with the use of delegates, to avoid code duplication

You will see how multiple methods can be invoked through a delegate

You will see how this simple feature helps us, to save a little bit of code, and how it simplifies the usage of delegates

You will see a new example how the built in Action, and Action<T> are used to substitute custom delegates

You will see a new example how the built in Func<T, TResult> is used, and we will get back to the examples you saw in the previous lectures, and refactor them to use Action<T> and Func<T, TResult> combined to make it perfectly clear for you

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores delegates, which are a fundamental concept in the .NET framework and are essential for understanding more advanced topics like events and LINQ
Teaches Action and Func, which are essential for writing LINQ queries and working with functional programming concepts in C#
Focuses on avoiding code duplication by using delegates, which promotes better code reuse and maintainability in software development projects
Uses logically built examples to illustrate the usefulness of delegates in realistic scenarios, which helps learners understand when and how to apply them
Serves as an introduction to delegates, which the course explicitly states is a prerequisite for understanding events, lambda expressions, and LINQ
Refactors examples to use Action and Func, which may require learners to have some familiarity with these built-in delegate types

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Clear c# delegates explanation

According to learners, this course offers a clear and concise introduction to C# delegates. Many students found the explanations easy to follow, making a potentially confusing topic much more accessible. The course uses practical coding examples to illustrate concepts, which learners found very helpful for understanding how delegates work in realistic scenarios and for avoiding code duplication. Several reviewers specifically highlighted the coverage of Action and Func delegates as particularly valuable. While the course is praised for its foundational clarity, a few reviewers felt it could go into more advanced scenarios or deeper dives into related topics like Events, suggesting it serves best as a strong starting point.
Provides a solid base but may lack advanced depth.
"This course is a great introduction and gives you a solid foundation in delegates."
"Provides a really good starting point for understanding delegates, perfect for getting the basics right."
"It gives you a strong understanding of the fundamentals, but you might need to look elsewhere for very advanced delegate use cases or deep dives into related topics like complex Event patterns."
Instructor's teaching style is effective and engaging.
"The instructor was very clear and easy to listen to. Made learning delegates enjoyable."
"Great instructor! Explained things very well and the examples were well-paced."
"I appreciated the instructor's approach. They made a potentially dry topic interesting."
Detailed explanation of built-in delegate types.
"The section on Action<T> and Func<T, TResult> was incredibly helpful. This is essential for LINQ and modern C#."
"Understanding Action and Func delegates was a key takeaway for me. This course explains them clearly."
"Gained a solid understanding of built-in delegates like Action and Func, which I needed for my work."
Uses coding examples to show real-world usage.
"The coding examples were practical and helped solidify my understanding of how delegates are used in real code."
"I really liked the examples showing how delegates help avoid code duplication. Very practical lesson."
"Seeing the examples in action made the concept much clearer. The hands-on coding part was excellent."
"The examples were well-chosen and logically built, making it easy to see the usefulness of delegates."
Breaks down the concept of delegates effectively.
"This course explains delegates in a simple and understandable way. I was confused before, but now I get it."
"The instructor did a great job explaining a difficult concept. I finally understand what delegates are and how to use them."
"The explanation of delegates was clear and concise. Easy to follow along and grasp the core ideas."
"I finally understand delegates thanks to this course. The way it was explained just clicked for me."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn and Understand C# Delegates fast by coding with these activities:
Review C# Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of C# fundamentals to better grasp the delegate concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Review basic syntax, data types, and control flow in C#.
  • Practice writing simple C# programs.
  • Familiarize yourself with object-oriented programming concepts in C#.
Implement Delegates in Sample Scenarios
Practice implementing delegates in various scenarios to reinforce your understanding and application of the concept.
Show steps
  • Identify scenarios where delegates can be used to improve code flexibility.
  • Write code to implement delegates in those scenarios.
  • Test your code to ensure that the delegates are working correctly.
Create a Delegate Cheat Sheet
Compile a cheat sheet summarizing the key concepts and syntax related to C# delegates for quick reference.
Show steps
  • Summarize the definition and purpose of delegates.
  • Include examples of delegate declaration, instantiation, and invocation.
  • Add notes on Action and Func delegates.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0 – Modern Cross-Platform Development
Reference a comprehensive C# book to deepen your understanding of delegates and their role in modern .NET development.
Show steps
  • Read the chapter on delegates and events.
  • Study the examples provided in the book.
  • Experiment with the code samples to reinforce your understanding.
Build a Simple Event System Using Delegates
Create a small project that utilizes delegates to implement a basic event system, solidifying your understanding of delegate usage in event handling.
Show steps
  • Define a delegate type for the event handler.
  • Create a class that raises the event using the delegate.
  • Implement a class that subscribes to the event and handles it.
  • Test the event system to ensure it is working correctly.
CLR via C#
Explore a book that provides a deep dive into the CLR to understand how delegates are implemented and managed at a lower level.
Show steps
  • Read the sections related to delegates and the CLR.
  • Analyze the code examples and explanations.
  • Consider how the CLR implementation affects delegate performance and behavior.
Help Others in Online Forums
Reinforce your understanding of delegates by helping other students in online forums and answering their questions.
Show steps
  • Find online forums related to C# and .NET development.
  • Search for questions related to delegates.
  • Provide clear and helpful answers to the questions.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn and Understand C# Delegates fast by coding will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
C# Developer
A C# developer specializes in developing applications using the C# programming language. This course gives learners an advantage, as it focuses on delegates, a very useful and important part of C#. A C# developer will commonly use delegates when using events and creating LINQ queries. This course explains what a delegate is, how to create and use delegates, and how to avoid code duplication by using delegates. A C# developer will also learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Those who want to avoid code duplication should take this course.
Software Developer
A software developer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course helps build a foundation in C# delegates, a concept that is critical to the .NET framework. A software developer will find that understanding delegates allows for better code reuse, more flexible code, and the ability to use events and create LINQ queries. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A software developer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. A software developer who wants an in-depth introduction to delegates should consider this course.
Software Engineer
A software engineer applies principles of engineering to the design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of software. This course helps build a foundation in C# delegates, an important concept for any software engineer working with C#. A software engineer will commonly use delegates when working with events and LINQ queries. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A software engineer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Engineers who desire to write more powerful code should take this course.
Application Developer
An application developer designs, codes, and tests applications for computers and other devices. This course helps to understand delegates in C#, a concept that can be very useful when developing applications in C#. An application developer will find that the use of delegates can allow for better code reuse and more flexible code. Moreover, delegates can be leveraged in application development to solve a variety of problems. The course explains how to create and use delegates and invoke multiple methods through delegates. An application developer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Application developers interested in saving time and resources should take this course.
Web Developer
A web developer is responsible for coding, designing, and debugging websites. While web development encompasses many languages, this course can be especially helpful if the web developer uses C# in their work. A web developer will find the understanding of delegates useful, especially while creating LINQ queries. This course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A web developer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Aspiring web developers should consider taking this course.
Mobile App Developer
A mobile app developer creates applications for mobile devices. This course helps build a foundation in C# delegates, a concept that is very important in C# development. A mobile app developer will find that the use of delegates can allow for better code reuse. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A mobile app developer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Mobile application developers who write code with C# should enroll for this course.
Game Developer
A game developer creates video games for computers, consoles, and mobile devices. This course may be useful for game developers using C# and the .NET framework. A game developer will find that an understanding of delegates can lead to more flexible and powerful code. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A game developer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Aspiring game developers should consider taking this course.
Software Consultant
A software consultant provides expert advice and guidance to organizations on how to use software to achieve their business goals. This course helps build a foundation in C# delegates, a concept that is very useful when consulting on C# projects. A software consultant should understand delegates to improve code reuse, code flexibility and, most importantly, avoid code duplication. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A software consultant will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. A software consultant should consider this course.
Software Architect
A software architect makes high-level design choices and dictates technical standards, including coding standards, tools, and platforms. This course may be useful for a software architect who wants to better guide their team in C# development. A software architect will find that the use of delegates can allow for better code reuse. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A software architect will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Junior architects aspiring to lead teams may want to consider this course.
Database Developer
A database developer designs, implements, and maintains databases. This course may be useful for a database developer who works with C# and LINQ. A database developer may find that an understanding of delegates helps build more powerful applications. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A database developer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Database developers interested in learning more about these technologies should consider this course.
Technical Lead
A technical lead is responsible for guiding a team of developers and ensuring the technical quality of their work. This course may be useful for a technical lead who needs to mentor developers in C#. A technical lead can leverage this course to better guide junior developers. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates, and thus, can help any team lead guide a team more competently. A technical lead will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Technical leads should make a point of enrolling in this course.
Quality Assurance Engineer
A quality assurance engineer tests software to ensure it meets the required standards and specifications. This course may be helpful for a quality assurance engineer testing C# applications that utilize delegates. A quality assurance engineer will likely need to understand delegates to write more robust and nuanced tests. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A quality assurance engineer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Software testing engineers can learn a lot from this course.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps engineer is responsible for automating and streamlining the software development process. This course may be useful for DevOps engineers working with .NET applications. A DevOps engineer will ideally understand delegates to facilitate code reuse, flexibility, and avoiding duplication. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A DevOps engineer will also learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. An understanding of these concepts may improve one's practice of DevOps.
Data Scientist
A data scientist analyzes and interprets complex data to identify trends and insights. This course may be useful for a data scientist working with C# and LINQ to process data. A data scientist will find an understanding of delegates useful, especially when creating LINQ queries. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A data scientist will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. Data scientists who want to improve efficiency should consider taking this course.
Machine Learning Engineer
A machine learning engineer develops and implements machine learning algorithms and systems. This course may be useful for a machine learning engineer using C# for some aspects of their work. Though it is not a primary tool for them, an engineer may find that an understanding of delegates can lead to more flexible and powerful code. The course explains how to create and use delegates, avoid code duplication, and invoke multiple methods through delegates. A machine learning engineer will learn how Action and Func work, which is inevitable to know for writing LINQ queries. A machine learning engineer should consider taking this course.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn and Understand C# Delegates fast by coding.
Provides a comprehensive guide to C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0. It covers delegates and events in detail, offering practical examples and explanations. This book is useful for understanding the broader context of C# development and how delegates fit into the .NET ecosystem. It is commonly used as a reference by industry professionals.
Delves into the inner workings of the Common Language Runtime (CLR) and provides a deep understanding of C# concepts, including delegates. It offers insights into how delegates are implemented and managed by the CLR. This book is more valuable as additional reading for those seeking a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms. It is commonly used by advanced C# developers.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser