3. Methods

Long programs become unmanageable when all code lives in one place. Methods let you name a block of code, give it inputs, and call it from anywhere. This chapter shows how to define, design, and invoke methods in C#.

Why this chapter matters

Methods are the primary tool for organizing code and avoiding repetition:

• repeated logic in one place means one fix reaches every caller

• named methods make programs readable — code tells a story

• parameters make methods flexible; return values make them composable

• static methods let you organize helper logic without objects

Learning goals

By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

• define methods with parameters and return types

• call methods and use their return values

• design a method signature that communicates intent clearly

• understand the difference between void and value-returning methods

Chapter flow

• 3.1. Introduction
• 3.2. Designing Methods
• 3.3. Method Parameters
• 3.4. Static Methods
• 3.5. Preview Questions
• 3.6. Lab 03
• 3.7. Chapter Review