C# Academy · Lesson

Primary Constructors on Classes

Declare constructor parameters in the type header.

Lesson 1 of 413 steps

Primary Constructors on Classes is a free C# Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C# Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The C# Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.

What Is a Primary Constructor?

A primary constructor lets you declare constructor parameters directly in the class header, like class Point(int x, int y). The parameters are in scope throughout the whole class body.

using System;

class Point(int x, int y) {
    public int X => x;
    public int Y => y;
}

var p = new Point(3, 4);
Console.WriteLine(p.X + "," + p.Y); // 3,4

No More Boilerplate

Before primary constructors you wrote a constructor body just to copy parameters into fields. Now the header declares the parameters and you reference them directly.

using System;

class Greeter(string name) {
    public string Greet() => "Hello, " + name + "!";
}

Console.WriteLine(new Greeter("Ada").Greet()); // Hello, Ada!

Parameters Are In Scope Everywhere

Primary constructor parameters can be used in property initializers, method bodies, and field initializers anywhere in the class.

using System;

class Circle(double radius) {
    public double Area => Math.PI * radius * radius;
    public double Circumference => 2 * Math.PI * radius;
}

var c = new Circle(2);
Console.WriteLine(Math.Round(c.Area, 2)); // 12.57

Initializing Fields and Properties

You can use a primary constructor parameter to initialize a field or property at declaration time.

using System;

class Account(decimal initial) {
    public decimal Balance { get; private set; } = initial;
    public void Deposit(decimal amount) => Balance += amount;
}

var a = new Account(100m);
a.Deposit(50m);
Console.WriteLine(a.Balance); // 150

Validation in the Header

You can validate primary constructor parameters inline using throw expressions when assigning to a field.

using System;

class Person(string name) {
    public string Name { get; } =
        string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(name)
            ? throw new ArgumentException("name required")
            : name;
}

Console.WriteLine(new Person("Lin").Name); // Lin

Adding Extra Constructors

A class with a primary constructor can still declare additional constructors, but they must chain to the primary one with : this(...).

using System;

class Box(int width, int height) {
    public int Width => width;
    public int Height => height;
    public Box(int size) : this(size, size) { }
}

var sq = new Box(5);
Console.WriteLine(sq.Width + "x" + sq.Height); // 5x5

Primary Constructor Bodies

Primary constructors do not have a body of their own. Logic that must run at construction goes into field initializers or a chained regular constructor.

using System;

class Logger(string prefix) {
    private readonly string tag = "[" + prefix + "]";
    public void Log(string msg) => Console.WriteLine(tag + " " + msg);
}

new Logger("INFO").Log("started"); // [INFO] started

Not Automatically Public Properties

Unlike records, a primary constructor on a plain class does not create public properties. The parameters are private to the class unless you expose them yourself.

using System;

class Temp(double celsius) {
    // celsius is NOT a public property here
    public double Fahrenheit => celsius * 9 / 5 + 32;
}

Console.WriteLine(new Temp(100).Fahrenheit); // 212

Captured Parameters Become Fields

When a primary constructor parameter is used in a method (not just an initializer), the compiler captures it into a hidden field so it survives after construction.

using System;

class Counter(int start) {
    private int value = start;
    public int Next() => value++;
}

var c = new Counter(10);
Console.WriteLine(c.Next()); // 10
Console.WriteLine(c.Next()); // 11

Cleaner Dependency Injection

Primary constructors are popular for DI: declare services in the header and use them in methods, with no manual field assignment.

using System;

interface IClock { string Now(); }
class FakeClock : IClock { public string Now() => "12:00"; }

class Service(IClock clock) {
    public string Report() => "Time is " + clock.Now();
}

Console.WriteLine(new Service(new FakeClock()).Report()); // Time is 12:00

Putting It Together

This class uses a primary constructor for its dependencies and exposes a computed property, with no explicit constructor body.

using System;

class Rectangle(double w, double h) {
    public double Area => w * h;
    public double Perimeter => 2 * (w + h);
}

var r = new Rectangle(3, 4);
Console.WriteLine(r.Area + " " + r.Perimeter); // 12 14

Quick Check

Test your understanding of primary constructors on classes.

Answer it in the interactive lesson

Recap

You learned primary constructors on classes.

class C(int x) declares constructor parameters in the header.
Parameters are in scope across the class body.
Extra constructors chain with : this(...).
On a plain class they are not public properties automatically.

Free to start

Learn C# with an AI tutor — free

Write and run real code in your browser, get instant help from a 24/7 AI tutor, and pick up where you left off on the web or in the app.

Courses: 93
Lessons: 346

Start learning free View the full course

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the “Primary Constructors on Classes” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Primary Constructors on Classes” is free to read here on the web. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C# Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO. The C# Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.

What will I learn in “Primary Constructors on Classes”?

Declare constructor parameters in the type header. You practise C# Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start C# Academy?

No prior experience is required. C# Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 1 of 4.

How long does the “Primary Constructors on Classes” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this C# Academy lesson?

Yes. Every C# Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

← Back to C# Academy