Hidden Gems

Welcome to our collection of Hidden Gems from the .NET world! 💎

Here you’ll find a curated selection of lesser-known features, tools, libraries, and techniques from the .NET ecosystem that we’ve come across and that can significantly simplify developers’ lives.

What are Hidden Gems?

Hidden Gems are those buried treasures in .NET that are often overlooked but offer tremendous value. We’re talking about unknown framework features hidden in the documentation, useful NuGet packages that get little attention, or productivity tricks in Visual Studio and the .NET CLI. This also includes performance optimizations that not everyone knows about, clever design patterns and best practices, as well as underrated APIs and libraries.

Dive in and discover the hidden possibilities that .NET has to offer!

Still Waiting for the Final Piece: When C# 14 Comes Close, But Not Quite There

C# 14 introduces the new ‘Extension Everything’ syntax—an elegant step toward more expressive code, yet one that still can’t quite match VB.NET’s classic ByRef magic. A humorous reflection on what’s almost, but not fully, possible in .NET 10.

Understanding the C# `StringValues`: A Comprehensive Guide

In C#, the StringValues struct belongs to the Microsoft.Extensions.Primitives namespace, which is widely used in modern .NET applications. This struct plays a crucial role in efficiently managing string collections, especially when handling efficiently, particularly in contexts where multiple strings are involved. In this blog post, we’ll explore the purpose, usage, and key features of the StringValues struct in C#.

Mastering .NET Project Properties: The `BuildingInsideVisualStudio` Flag

In the ever-evolving world of .NET development, managing project configurations effectively is crucial for maintaining a clean and efficient build process. One of the less frequently discussed but highly useful properties is BuildingInsideVisualStudio. This property, when correctly utilized, can streamline your build process and ensure that your project is configured properly depending on the build environment. In this article, we’ll explore the BuildingInsideVisualStudio property with concrete examples and discuss best practices for using it effectively.

Manage NuGet Packages Centrally

For over 12 years, NuGet package management has been part of the .NET ecosystem with direct integrations to various IDEs, CLIs and build systems. But a feature took 12 years before it appeared and certainly needs some more maintenance until it is mature!