convert string to list in c# code example

Example 1: string to list c#

var names = "Brian,Joe,Chris";
List<string> result = names.Split(',').ToList();

Example 2: c# convert list to string and back

public static class UsersConverter
{
    // Separates user properties.
    private const char UserDataSeparator = ',';

    // Separates users in the list.
    private const char UsersSeparator = ';';

    public static string ConvertListToString(IEnumerable<User> usersList)
    {
        var stringBuilder = new StringBuilder();

        // Build the users string.
        foreach (User user in usersList)
        {
            stringBuilder.Append(user.Name);
            stringBuilder.Append(UserDataSeparator);
            stringBuilder.Append(user.Age);
            stringBuilder.Append(UsersSeparator);
        }

        // Remove trailing separator.
        stringBuilder.Remove(stringBuilder.Length - 1, 1);

        return stringBuilder.ToString();
    }

    public static List<User> ParseStringToList(string usersString)
    {
        // Check that passed argument is not null.
        if (usersString == null) throw new ArgumentNullException("usersString");

        var result = new List<User>();

        string[] userDatas = usersString.Split(UsersSeparator);

        foreach (string[] userData in userDatas.Select(x => x.Split(UserDataSeparator)))
        {
            // Check that user data contains enough arguments.
            if (userData.Length < 2) throw new ArgumentException("Users string contains invalid data.");

            string name = userData[0];
            int age;

            // Try parsing age.
            if (!int.TryParse(userData[1], out age))
            {
                throw new ArgumentException("Users string contains invalid data.");
            }

            // Add to result list.
            result.Add(new User { Name = name, Age = age });
        }

        return result;
    }
}