C# – Difference initializing static variable inline or in static constructor in C#

.netc++constructorinitializationstatic

I would like to know what is the difference between initializing a static member inline as in:

class Foo
{
    private static Bar bar_ = new Bar();
}

or initializing it inside the static constructor as in:

class Foo
{
    static Foo()
    {
        bar_ = new Bar();
    }
    private static Bar bar_;
}

Best Solution

If you have a static constructor in your type, it alters type initialization due to the beforefieldinit flag no longer being applied.

It also affects initialization order - variable initializers are all executed before the static constructor.

That's about it as far as I know though.

Related Solutions

C# – the difference between String and string in C#

string is an alias in C# for System.String.
So technically, there is no difference. It's like int vs. System.Int32.

As far as guidelines, it's generally recommended to use string any time you're referring to an object.

e.g.

string place = "world";

Likewise, I think it's generally recommended to use String if you need to refer specifically to the class.

e.g.

string greet = String.Format("Hello {0}!", place);

This is the style that Microsoft tends to use in their examples.

It appears that the guidance in this area may have changed, as StyleCop now enforces the use of the C# specific aliases.

C# – Calling the base constructor in C#

Modify your constructor to the following so that it calls the base class constructor properly:

public class MyExceptionClass : Exception
{
    public MyExceptionClass(string message, string extrainfo) : base(message)
    {
        //other stuff here
    }
}

Note that a constructor is not something that you can call anytime within a method. That's the reason you're getting errors in your call in the constructor body.

Best Solution

Related Solutions

C# – the difference between String and string in C#

This is the style that Microsoft tends to use in their examples.

C# – Calling the base constructor in C#

Related Question