How to add multiple key-value pairs to an array of dictionaries (or similar solution)?

Question

I am searching for a cleaner way of writing an array of dictionaries in C# (or an alternative), when all of them have the same key-value pairs (only the values differ).

I need to create 3 power plant objects, and all 3 of them need to have different values for the attributes "Dam", "Diversion" and "First", and I am using the different values of the attributes later in the code. I am fairly new in writing code in C#, so when I searched for the best way to solve this problem, I came across dictionaries and decided to use them for it. So far I have created an array of 3 dictionaries in the Program class, and then added the required values in the Main method.

static Dictionary<string, int>[] power_plant = new Dictionary<string, int>[]
         {
            new Dictionary<string, int>(),
            new Dictionary<string, int>(),
            new Dictionary<string, int>()
         };

for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) 
{
   if (i == 0)
   {
      power_plant[i].Add("Dam", 1);
      power_plant[i].Add("Diversion", 0);
      power_plant[i].Add("First", 1);
   }
   else if (i==1)
   {
      power_plant[i].Add("Dam", 1);
      power_plant[i].Add("Diversion", 0);
      power_plant[i].Add("First", 0);
   }
   else
   {
      power_plant[i].Add("Dam", 0);
      power_plant[i].Add("Diversion", 1);
      power_plant[i].Add("First", 0);
   }
}

Although, the code works properly, I feel that there has to be a better way to achieve what I need, whether it is a cleaner code using dictionaries or using entirely different types. However, I do not have the required knowledge to think of an alternative.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

welcome to the C# world! I am not sure what are you trying to achieve, but it seems like you are over complicating your work. Check this:

I need to create 3 power plant objects, and all 3 of them need to have different values for the attributes "Dam", "Diversion" and "First"

In that case, create a PowerPlant class:

public class PowerPlant
{
    public PowerPlant(int dam, int diversion, int first)
    {
        Dam = dam;
        Diversion = diversion;
        First = first;
    }

    public int Dam { get; }
    public int Diversion { get; }
    public int First { get; }
}

Then just add it to a list:

var PowerPlants = new List<PowerPlant>
{
    new PowerPlant(1, 0, 1),
    new PowerPlant(1, 0, 0),
    new PowerPlant(0, 1, 0)
};

Would that help you? Let me know if it does.

Answer 2

i think it is better to create PowerPlant class with 3 properties Dam, Diversion and First.

public class PowerPlant
{
    public int Dam { get; set; }
    public int Diversion { get; set; }
    public int First { get; set; }
}

And create a list of the objects

static List<PowerPlant> powerPlants = new List<PowerPlant>
{
    new PowerPlant { Dam = 1, Diversion = 0, First = 1},
    new PowerPlant { Dam = 1, Diversion = 0, First = 0},
    new PowerPlant { Dam = 0, Diversion = 1, First = 0}
};

Then you can use linq to select the data as you want.

What do you want to do with the data?