Both of these are keywords used in the C# language that assists in passing any arguments. There is a crucial difference between Ref and Out keywords in C#. We use the ref keyword for passing data in a bi-directional manner, while the out keyword helps users get data in a unidirectional manner.
In this article, we will discuss more of these differences in a tabular form. But let us first know a bit more about each of these individually.
What is Ref Keyword in C#?
It is a keyword that we use in the C# language for passing the available arguments by their references. In simpler words, if we make any changes in the given argument, then this method reflects these changes in the variable whenever the control returns to the calling method. The parameter of ref does not at all pass the property.
What is Out Keyword in C#?
It is a keyword that we use in the C# language to pass the available arguments to the methods as a type of reference. We generally use this keyword when any method returns various different values. The parameter of out does not at all pass the property.
Difference Between Ref and Out Keywords in C#
Here is a list of the differences between Ref and Out Keywords in C#.
| Parameters | Ref Keyword in C# | Out Keyword in C# |
| Purpose of Keyword | We use the ref keyword when a called parameter needs to update the parameter (passed). | We use the out keyword when a called method needs to update multiple parameters (passed). |
| Direction | We use this keyword for passing data in a bi-directional manner. | We use this keyword for getting data in a unidirectional manner. |
| Need to Initialize | We need to initialize a variable before passing it as a ref. The compiler will throw an error if we don’t do this step. | We don’t need to initialize any given variable in case we use an out keyword. |
| Initialization | In this case, we need to initialize any passed parameter in the form of ref. | In this case, we need to initialize any passed parameter in the form of out. |
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