object and collection initializations analysis

Question

This question relates to object and collection initializations. Please see this snippet
snippet1

//snippet1
class Cat
{
// Auto-implemented properties.
public int Age { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
}
Cat cat = new Cat { Age = 10, Name = "Fluffy" };snippet2snippet2
//snippet2
List<Cat> cats = new List<Cat>
{
new Cat(){ Name = "Sylvester", Age=8 },
new Cat(){ Name = "Whiskers", Age=2 },
new Cat(){ Name = "Sasha", Age=14 }
};now if you notice the parenthesis part after Cat
in snippet1  it is :  Cat{//.....etc};
in snippet2 it is :  Cat() {//......etc}
q1)  is there a logic that we used the () in snipppet 2
q2)  is my approach to the subject seeking logic in every case, correct
or should I just try to remember them? 

Answer 1

The parenthesis are optional. All you need is one initializer for an object: either the parentheses, which specify that you want to use a constructor, or the braces, which specify you want to set properties or array values. Here's the docs page on C# initializers: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb384062.aspx.

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Wasabi Fan

Answer 2

They say : "There is more than one way to skin a cat".  It is especially is relative in this case where your class is a Cat.  The syntax is very similar for basic C#, collections, and Linq.  Using a parenthsis is standard C# syntax when calling a constructor and can be used in both cases.  When you don't use the parenthsis you are initializing an array which I think is using collection syntax so you would need to include the header using System.Collections.Generic.

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jdweng

Answer 3

Hi

this is in reply to both of you teachers

is it nice to think each case with logic or i may remember it ,just that (mug-up)