C# String Methods

In this tutorial, we'll learn about some common string methods in C#.

Equal

This method returns whether the two string objects have the same value or not.

string text = "Dev.to";
string text2 = "Devto";

if(text.Equals(text2))
{
    Console.Write("Yes!");
}
else
{
    Console.Write("No");
}

// Outputs - No

Contains

This method returns true if the given string is present in the source string.

string text = "Dev.to is the best platform for developers";

if(text.Contains("best"))
{
    Console.Write("Yes!");
}
else
{
    Console.Write("No");
}

// Outputs - Yes!

You can also check if a character is present in the string, for example

text.Contains('b');

Compare

This method compares two strings and returns an integer. It returns

• less than zero if the first substring precedes the second substring in the sort order.
• zero if the two strings are equal
• more than zero if the first substring follows the second substring in the sort order.

string text = "Dev.to";
string text2 = "Devto";

Console.Write(String.Compare(text, text2)); // -1

IndexOf

This method returns the first index of a character or substring in a source string. If the character or substring is not present in the source, it returns -1.

string text = "Dev.to";

Console.WriteLine(text.IndexOf('.')); // 3
Console.WriteLine(text.IndexOf('a')); // -1

IsNullOrEmpty

This method indicates whether the given string is null or an empty string ("").

string text = "";
if(String.IsNullOrEmpty(text))
{
    Console.Write("Yes");
}
else
{
    Console.Write("No");
}

// Outputs - Yes

Split

This method splits the string into an array of strings or characters by a delimiter.

string text = "C# provides support for OOP.";

foreach (var item in text.Split(' '))
{
    Console.WriteLine(item);
}

/* Outputs
C#
provides
support 
for     
OOP. */ 

Join

This method concatenates the elements of the specified array or collection using the given separator.

string[] elements = {"This", "is", "my", "blog."};

Console.Write(String.Join(' ', elements));

// Outputs - This is my blog.

Trim

This method removes all the leading and trailing occurences of the specified character or a set of characters.

string text = "----C# provides support for OOP.----";

Console.Write(text.Trim('-'));

Replace

This method returns a new string after replacing all the occurrences of a specified character or string with another specified character or string.

string text = "C# provides support for OOP.";

Console.Write(text.Replace(' ', '_')); // C#_provides_support_for_OOP.

Format

This method is used to convert variables to strings and insert them into another string.

string name = "John";
int age = 32;
string text = String.Format("{0} is {1} years old", name, age);            
Console.Write(text);

// John is 32 years old