Question

I found a method in AutoMapper: IMappingExpression.ConstructUsingServiceLocator().

When should I use this method and what are the differences between it and ConstructUsing?

Answer 1

It is used to configure AutoMapper to use certain constructor to instantiate a class.

Mapper.Initialize(cfg =>
    {
        // Adding "Construct" configuration 
        cfg.ConstructServicesUsing(t => new Dest(5));

        // Tell AutoMapper to use already defined configuration to construct Dest class
        cfg.CreateMap<Source, Dest>()
           .ConstructUsingServiceLocator();
    });

The best way to learn AutoMapper is to look into the unit tests.