--- title: "Guides articles — Ivan Kahl" description: "Articles by Ivan Kahl about Guides." url: https://ivankahl.com/blog/tags/guides/ --- Blog · Topic # Guides 13 articles tagged Guides. ## 2025 17 Dec 2025 ### [Decompiling the New C# 14 field Keyword](https://ivankahl.com/blog/decompiling-the-new-csharp-14-field-keyword/) The IL code behind the C# 14 field keyword reveals how it removes property boilerplate, and which caveats matter before refactoring an existing codebase. 11 min read 13 Oct 2025 ### [Mastering the C# Dispose Pattern](https://ivankahl.com/blog/csharp-dispose-pattern/) Reliable resource management in C# depends on IDisposable. Implementing it correctly cleans up unmanaged resources like file handles and connections, and prevents leaks. 9 min read 10 Sept 2025 ### [What's New in C# 14: Null-Conditional Assignments](https://ivankahl.com/blog/csharp-14-null-conditional-assignments/) C# 14 adds null-conditional assignment, a feature that safely assigns values to properties or indexers without long chains of if statements. 4 min read 04 Aug 2025 ### [What's New in C# 14: User-Defined Compound Assignments](https://ivankahl.com/blog/csharp-14-user-defined-compound-assignments/) C# 14 lets types define their own compound assignment operators, avoiding unnecessary object creation. The feature is explained along with the pitfalls to avoid. 4 min read 06 Jan 2025 ### [Beyond the Random Class: Cryptographic Randomness in .NET 6+](https://ivankahl.com/blog/beyond-the-random-class-cryptographic-randomness-in-net-6/) Security-sensitive code needs true randomness. Here, .NET's RandomNumberGenerator class is used to produce cryptographically secure random values instead of Random. 7 min read 01 Jan 2025 ### [C# Null-Conditional (?.) & Null-Coalescing (??) Operators Explained](https://ivankahl.com/blog/csharp-null-conditional-and-null-coalescing-operators-explained/) C#'s null-conditional and null-coalescing operators handle null values gracefully, resulting in cleaner and more robust code. Each is explained with examples. 4 min read ## 2024 03 Jun 2024 ### [Introduction to Mapster in C#: Benefits and Quick Start Guide](https://ivankahl.com/blog/introduction-to-mapster-in-csharp/) Mapster is a high-performance object mapping library for .NET. A beginner-friendly introduction highlights the key features behind efficient data mapping in C#. 7 min read ## 2022 21 Mar 2022 ### [Extension Methods in C#](https://ivankahl.com/blog/extension-methods-in-csharp/) Extension methods let C# developers add functionality to existing classes, even sealed third-party ones, without resorting to inheritance or wrapper classes. 5 min read ## 2021 18 Dec 2021 ### [Case-sensitive and Case-insensitive String Comparisons in PowerShell](https://ivankahl.com/blog/case-sensitive-and-insensitive-string-comparisons-in-powershell/) PowerShell offers separate operators for case-sensitive and case-insensitive string comparisons, such as -eq, -ceq, -like, and -clike. Each is explained with examples. 1 min read 17 Jul 2021 ### [Introduction to Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) in .NET with Autofac Interceptors](https://ivankahl.com/blog/introduction-to-aspect-oriented-programming-in-dotnet-with-autofac-interceptors/) Aspect-Oriented Programming improves modularity and readability in .NET. Autofac interceptors are set up and used to apply AOP principles in practice. 7 min read ## 2020 06 Dec 2020 ### [Three Methods to Convert Strings into Enums in C#](https://ivankahl.com/blog/three-methods-to-convert-strings-into-enums-in-csharp/) Three methods for converting strings into enums in C# are compared, with guidance on which approach best suits different performance and safety requirements. 5 min read 13 Jun 2020 ### [The Comprehensive Guide to Custom DateTime String Formats in C#](https://ivankahl.com/blog/the-comprehensive-guide-to-custom-datetime-string-formats-in-csharp/) C# offers several ways to turn a DateTime into a string. Custom format specifiers give full control over the output, and each one is explained with examples. 8 min read ## 2019 29 Oct 2019 ### [Getting AWS Lambda Environment Variables in all supported languages](https://ivankahl.com/blog/getting-aws-lambda-environment-variables-in-all-supported-languages/) Every language supported by AWS Lambda reads environment variables through its own native API. Code snippets for each are collected in one place, with no extra dependencies. 1 min read