Initialize class fields in constructor or at declaration?

Question

I've been programming in C# and Java recently and I am curious where the best place is to initialize my class fields.

Should I do it at declaration?:

public class Dice

{

    private int topFace = 1;

    private Random myRand = new Random();

    public void Roll()

    {

       // ......

    }

}

or in a constructor?:

public class Dice

{

    private int topFace;

    private Random myRand;

    public Dice()

    {

        topFace = 1;

        myRand = new Random();

    }

    public void Roll()

    {

        // .....

    }

}

I'm really curious about what some of you veterans think is the best practice. I want to be consistent and stick to one approach.

Answer 1

My practices:

• Don't initialize among the default values in the declaration (null, false, 0, 0.0…).
• Favor initialization in the declaration if you don't have a constructor parameter that alters the value of the field.
• If the value of the field turns because of a constructor parameter sets the initialization in the constructors.
• Be regular in your exercise (the most essential rule).