What is difference between ref and out keywords

What is difference between ref and out keywords?

ref and out modifier are useful whenever your method return more than one value. Both ref and out modifier are used to pass arguments within a method.

While using Ref, following points that you need to consider,

1. You must initialize the parameter first before you pass it as a reference.

2. It is two-way communication. ref parameters are used to get a value and potentially return a change to that value.

out parameters are very much like reference parameters. out means that the parameter has no value before going into the function. The called function must initialize it.

While using Out, following points that you need to consider,

1. You don't need to initialize the value in the calling function.

2. You must assign the value in the called function.

C# Program with ref and out keyword

public class CodeviewTest

{

    public static void Main() //calling method

    {

        int salary = 200; //must be initialized       

        RefExample(ref salary);

        Console.WriteLine(salary); // salary=100

        int Sal; //optional

        OutExample(out Sal);

        Console.WriteLine(Sal); // Sal=300

        RefOutExample(ref salary, out Sal);

        Console.WriteLine(Sal); // Sal=400

    }

    static void RefExample(ref int salary) //called method

    {

        salary = 100;

    }

    static void OutExample(out int salary) //called method

    {

        salary = 300; //must be initialized

    }

    //both ref and out keyword in a method

    static void RefOutExample(ref int salary, out int TotalSal) //called method

    {

        TotalSal = salary+200; //must be initialized

    }

}

/* Output

 100

 200

 400

 */