How Do I Decide When to Use Interfaces, Classes, and Records in C#?

When deciding between C# and TS, a big factor is the typing mechanism. In TypeScript, things are structurally typed, which means that anything matching the shape of an interface adheres to it. In contrast, C# uses nominal typing, which means that you need explicit definitions. In C#, think of interfaces as behavior contracts and classes as the standard OO way to combine methods and properties. Records, on the other hand, are mainly for data representation. You might use interfaces for things that switch between different logic implementations, while classes can represent your core business logic and records are great for simple data representations like DB query results.

As a newer developer, I've noticed that what to use starts becoming clearer as I grasp the problem better. Sometimes, keeping your code readable is more critical than following patterns. I’ve wrapped some standard library structures before but felt no real gain from it, so I reverted back to simpler aliasing. My advice? Start simple and add complexity as needed!

Don’t stress about design patterns right away. Focus on solidifying your understanding of the fundamentals and OOP principles first. There’s plenty to learn before you need to dive into design patterns.