C# Enforcing Use of Dictionary Keys

Question

I'm wondering what best practice is for verifying or enforcing the Keys used for a Dictionary object/parameter.

Take for example this method:

public override SqlServerQueryBuilder From(Dictionary<string, string> tableReferenceDictionary)
        {

            this.SelectQuery += " FROM " + this.IdentifierStart + tableReferenceDictionary["Database"] + this.IdentifierEnd
                             + "." + this.IdentifierStart + tableReferenceDictionary["Schema"] + this.IdentifierEnd
                             + "." + this.IdentifierStart + tableReferenceDictionary["Table"] + this.IdentifierEnd;

            return this;
        }

This method takes a Dictionary parameter, and makes an assumption about the keys used. If the caller passes a typo ( "database" instead of "Database" ) then this code will throw an exception. Is there a better way to manage this?

Maybe a different data type that achieves the same thing?

Maybe use a enum and make the key of type enum ( Dictionary<enum, string> )?

Answer 1

A custom class here is more appropriate, so you can enforce all your "keys" (which will be properties in the new class) are filled as expected.

Answer 2

Yes you are correct. Using Dictionary<enum, string> is probably best way to go.