dotnet / dotnet/reactive

Getting Started For Dummies

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[area] Ix
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Description

Hi - Just a user experience report trying to use your library, which you may appreciate if you really want more evangelism for this project. I used to think I was just dumb and the only person on the planet who had trouble getting started with this library. But I found [others expressing frustration](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30111878/c-sharp-net-rx-where-is-system-reactive#comment76958861_30111943) as well.

Can you please improve the documentation for those of us who just want to add a simple Enumerable.Buffer extension method to our code instead of rolling our own?

# Confusion 1
When I search for "system observable buffer" in Google, the third link is https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/dotnet/reactive-extensions/hh212130(v=vs.103) (which is disclaimed by Microsoft as "_We're no longer updating this content regularly. Check the Microsoft Product Lifecycle for information about how this product, service, technology, or API is supported._").

On this obsolete page, it says the following:

> Namespace: System.Reactive.Linq
> Assembly: System.Reactive (in System.Reactive.dll)

# Confusion 2
OK, so I search nuget for `System.Reactive`, and find a package that claims to support my runtime version. I install it. I add `using System.Reactive.Linq` to my C# file. But there is no `AsObservable()` extension method available on my enumerable.

# Confusion 3
Hmm... two years ago I recall running into precisely this problem, and recall something about System.Interactive namespace (how would anyone even know to search for that if they didn't spend hours like I did years ago on this mental exercise?) I uninstall System.Reactive and install System.Interactive instead. My project now has

```xml

```

I go back to my C# file. I remove `using System.Reactive.Linq` and add try to add `using System.Interactive` BUT I get _red ink_ on the Interactive. WTF - I think - how is this possible? I close Visual Studio, open it back up. Error is still there. I do a git reset, and readd System.Interactive, and still red ink. _How is it I can add a nuget package and not know the root namespace of the package?_

# Confusion 4 - Where the hell is this method?

At the end of the day, I give up, I implement my own buffer, add my own regression tests, and move on. This project is just too hard to get started with.

As some frank advice, I suggest ditching all the stuff about portability to other platforms and focus on just a great .NET platform library. The README.md just says this random thing about Ix.NET being contained within this project, but where, and how do I get it on nuget.org, I have no idea.

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