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.NET Framework 2.0
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Microsoft Visual Studio 2005/.NET Framework 2.0

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.NET Framework Class Library
IEquatable Generic Interface

Note: This interface is new in the .NET Framework version 2.0.

Defines a generalized method that a value type or class implements to create a type-specific method for determining equality of instances.

Namespace: System
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)

Visual Basic (Declaration)
Public Interface IEquatable(Of T)
Visual Basic (Usage)
Dim instance As IEquatable(Of T)
C#
public interface IEquatable<T>
C++
generic<typename T>
public interface class IEquatable
J#
J# supports the use of generic types and methods, but not the declaration of new ones.
JScript
JScript does not support generic types and methods.

This interface is implemented by types whose values can be equated (for example, the numeric and string classes). A value type or class implements the Equals method to create a type-specific method suitable for determining equality of instances.

NoteNote

The IComparable interface defines the CompareTo method, which determines the sort order of instances of the implementing type. The IEquatable interface defines the Equals method, which determines the equality of instances of the implementing type.

Notes to Implementers Replace the type parameter of the IEquatable interface with the type that is implementing this interface.

Windows 98, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows CE, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows Mobile for Pocket PC, Windows Mobile for Smartphone, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Starter Edition

The .NET Framework does not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see System Requirements.

.NET Framework

Supported in: 2.0

.NET Compact Framework

Supported in: 2.0
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Don't forget to override Object.GetHashCode()      Dan Morenus   |   Edit   |  

A type that implements IEquatable must also override Object.GetHashCode() in order to work properly as a key in a Dictionary. This is similar to the situation that arises when a type overrides Object.Equals().

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