how to compare arrays in C# ?

[mahdi68]

Hi how can i compare to array in C# ? i use this code but it`s result is false (must be true) ?

Array.Equals(childe1,grandFatherNode)

[Mitja Bonca]

You can use Enumerable.SequenceEqual method:

static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var a1 = new int[] { 1, 2, 3 };
            var a2 = new int[] { 1, 2, 3 };
            var a3 = new int[] { 1, 2, 4 };
            var x = a1.SequenceEqual(a2); // true
            var y = a1.SequenceEqual(a3); // false
        }

Hope it helps,
Mitja

[Mitja Bonca]

One more thing:
The elements are probably structs, but the array derives from System.Array, which is a reference type. That why Equals "fails".
As a practical and simple solution use IEnumerable<T>.SequenceEquals:

using System.Linq;
//...
//in some method:
bool bChecking = CheckArrays();

private bool CheckArrays()
{
     string[] A = new string[4] { "A", "B", "C" };
     string[] B = new string[4] { "A", "B", "D" };
     return A.SequenceEqual(B); //return will be false!
}

Mitja

[mahdi68]

Hi
my arrays is Multidimensional and this method not work on this tyoe of arrays !

[Mitja Bonca]

I did my own code for comparing multidimensional array. And it works, at least as far as I was testing. Let me know what you thing:

bool bIsEqual = true;
            string[,] array1 = new string[,] { { "A", "B" }, { "C", "D" } };
            string[,] array2 = new string[,] { { "A", "E" }, { "C", "D" } };
            for (int i = 0; i < array1.GetLength(0); i++)
            {
                int loop2 = 0;
                if (!bIsEqual)
                    break;
                for (int j = 0; j < array2.GetLength(0); j++)
                {
                    loop2++;
                    string A = array1[i, j];
                    string B = array2[i, j];
                    if (A != B)
                    {
                        bIsEqual = false;
                        break;
                    }
                    if (loop2 == 2)
                        break;
                }
            }
            if (!bIsEqual)
                Console.WriteLine("Arrays are not equal");
            else
                Console.WriteLine("Arrays are equal");
            Console.ReadLine();

Mitja