Predicate Delegate in C#

In C#, a Predicate is a built-in delegate type used to represent a method that takes one input parameter and returns a boolean value (true or false). It is widely used for testing conditions, especially in filtering data with collections.

Example: Predicate with a Lambda Expression

Predicate<int> isEven = n => n % 2 == 0;

Console.WriteLine(isEven(10));
Console.WriteLine(isEven(7));

Output:

True

False

The Predicate<int> delegate takes an integer and checks if it is even. It returns true for 10 and false for 7.

Syntax

public delegate bool Predicate<in T>(T obj);

• Always takes exactly one parameter of type T.
• Always returns a bool (true or false).

Key Points

• Predicate delegates always return a bool.
• Useful for conditions, filtering and validation.
• Frequently used with collection methods like Find, FindAll, Exists, RemoveAll.
• Provides cleaner, reusable and testable condition logic.

Example 1: Predicate with a Named Method

class Program {
    static bool CheckPositive(int number) {
        return number > 0;
    }

    static void Main() {
        Predicate<int> isPositive = CheckPositive;

        Console.WriteLine(isPositive(5));
        Console.WriteLine(isPositive(-3));
    }
}

Output:

True

False

The method CheckPositive matches the Predicate signature (takes one parameter, returns bool). So it can be directly assigned to a Predicate delegate.

Example 2: Predicate with Collections

Predicates are very useful in collection methods like List<T>.Find, FindAll, Exists and RemoveAll.

List<int> numbers = new List<int> { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 };

Predicate<int> isEven = n => n % 2 == 0;

var firstEven = numbers.Find(isEven);
var allEven = numbers.FindAll(isEven);

Console.WriteLine($"First Even: {firstEven}");

Console.WriteLine("All Even Numbers:");
allEven.ForEach(n => Console.WriteLine(n));

Output:

First Even: 2

All Even Numbers:

2

4

6

• Find -> Returns the first element matching the condition.
• FindAll -> Returns all elements matching the condition.
• The Predicate makes it easy to pass conditions as reusable delegates.

Example 3: Predicate with Custom Objects

class Student {
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public int Marks { get; set; }
}

class Program {
    static void Main() {
        List<Student> students = new List<Student> {
            new Student { Name = "Alice", Marks = 85 },
            new Student { Name = "Bob", Marks = 40 },
            new Student { Name = "Charlie", Marks = 60 }
        };

        Predicate<Student> hasPassed = s => s.Marks >= 50;

        var passedStudents = students.FindAll(hasPassed);

        Console.WriteLine("Passed Students:");
        passedStudents.ForEach(s => Console.WriteLine($"{s.Name} - {s.Marks}"));
    }
}

Output:

Passed Students:

Alice - 85

Charlie - 60

Here the Predicate checks whether a student has marks greater than or equal to 50. The FindAll method uses this Predicate to return only passing students.

Suggested Quiz

Edit Quiz

3 Questions

What is the return type of a Predicate delegate?

• A

  int

• B

  void

• C

  bool

• D

  string

Explanation:

Which collection method commonly uses Predicate delegates?

• A

  Add

• B

  FindAll

• C

  Insert

• D

  Sort

Explanation:

Methods like FindAll, Find, Exists, RemoveAll accept Predicate delegates for filtering.

What will be the output of the following code?

C#

List<int> numbers = new List<int> { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 };  
Predicate<int> isEven = n => n % 2 == 0;  
var firstEven = numbers.Find(isEven);  
Console.WriteLine(firstEven);

• A

  1

• B

  2

• C

  3

• D

  4

Explanation:

Find returns the first element matching the Predicate, which is 2.

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