is there a C# equivalent for Python's self-documenting expressions in f-strings?

Question

Since Python 3.8 it is possible to use self-documenting expressions in f-strings like this:

>>> variable=5
>>> print(f'{variable=}')
variable=5

is there an equivalent feature in C#?

Answer 1

Yes.

int variable = 5;
Console.WriteLine($"variable={variable}");

That outputs:

variable=5

The key here is the $ that precedes the string literal.

---

To do what you want with the name coming dynamically, I'd suggest a more explicit approach of using an extension method. Try this:

public static class SelfDocExt
{
    public static string SelfDoc<T>(
        this T value,
        [CallerArgumentExpression(nameof(value))] string name = "")
        => $"{name}={value}";
}

Then you can write this:

int variable = 5;
Console.WriteLine($"{variable.SelfDoc()}");

It solves your problem without breaking string interpolation.