C# new features nameof operator

So C# 6 has been out for some time now but I haven't used it till recently when we switched to visual studio 2015 at work. I had read about all the features, but you can't know how awesome the are until you start using them.

nameof operator

This is what msdn says about it:

Used to obtain the simple (unqualified) string name of a variable, type, or member.

Here's some simple examples

nameof(Int32) //prints "Int32"
nameof(C) //prints "C"
nameof(customer.Name) //prints "Name"

Ok so that sounds good but where would this be used? Well I found out that there are many uses so lets get into some before and after examples.

vs 2013

if(name == null) throw new ArgumentNullException("name");

Look familiar? Well theres a better way to do it now.

vs 2015

if(name == null) throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(name));

Now you don't have to worry about typos resulting in bugs like before. This is a simple example and very common one, but lets continue; with some more.

Imagine you have a class that implements INotifyPropertyChanged, and want to listen if the Name property has changed.

vs 2013 property changed event handler

private void Test_PropertyChanged(object sender, PropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
   if (e.PropertyName == "Name")
   {
       //do something  
   }
}

vs 2015 property changed event handler

private void Test_PropertyChanged(object sender, PropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
   if (e.PropertyName == nameof(Name))
   {
       //do something  
   }
}

It's a small change but again reduces bugs.

I've had fun introducing this into my code at work and if you haven't tried it yet you really need to.