How Can I Efficiently Remove Duplicates from a Generic List in C#?

Efficient Duplicate Removal from C# Generic Lists

This guide demonstrates effective techniques for removing duplicate entries from generic lists in C#. We'll explore two primary methods:

Method 1: LINQ's Distinct() Method

For .NET Framework 3.0 and later, the LINQ Distinct() method offers a concise solution:

<code class="language-csharp">List<T> listWithDuplicates = LoadSomeData();
List<T> listWithoutDuplicates = listWithDuplicates.Distinct().ToList();</code>

Distinct() generates a new list containing only unique elements.

Method 2: Utilizing a HashSet

HashSet<T> provides a more efficient approach for larger datasets:

<code class="language-csharp">List<T> listWithDuplicates = LoadSomeData();
HashSet<T> listWithoutDuplicates = new HashSet<T>(listWithDuplicates);</code>

HashSet<T> inherently stores unique items, eliminating duplicates during the creation process. This method is generally faster than Distinct() for large lists.

The above is the detailed content of How Can I Efficiently Remove Duplicates from a Generic List in C#?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!