Should I always return IEnumerable instead of IList?

Question

When I\'m writing my DAL or other code that returns a set of items, should I always make my return statement:

public IEnumerable GetRecentItems         


        

Answer 1

I think you can use either, but each has a use. Basically List is IEnumerable but you have count functionality, Add element, remove element

IEnumerable is not efficient for counting elements, or getting a specific element in the collection.

List is a collection which is ideally suited to finding specific elements, easy to add elements, or remove them.

Generally I try to use List where possible as this gives me more flexibility.

Use List getRecentItems() rather than IList GetRecentItems()