If someone wants to create static class then what are the rules for the static class?
When creating a static class in C#, there are certain rules and restrictions that you need to follow. Here are the key rules for defining a static class:
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Cannot Be Instantiated : A static class cannot be instantiated, which means you cannot create objects or instances of it using the 'new' keyword.
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Only Static Members : A static class can only contain static members, such as static methods, static properties, static fields, and nested static classes. Instance members, such as instance methods or instance variables, are not allowed in a static class.
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Cannot Inherit : A static class cannot inherit from any class, whether it's another static class or a non-static class. It implicitly inherits from the 'System.Object' class.
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Cannot Be Used as a Base Class : You cannot use a static class as a base class for other classes, since inheritance is not allowed for static classes.
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Cannot Implement Interfaces : Static classes cannot implement interfaces. Interface implementation requires instance members, which static classes do not support.
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Cannot Contain Constructors : Static classes cannot have instance constructors, which means you cannot define constructors with parameters or other instance-related logic in a static class.
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Implicitly Sealed : A static class is implicitly sealed, preventing any further inheritance. This is because inheritance is not applicable to classes that cannot be instantiated.
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'var' keyword not allowed : The usage of the "var" keyword is not allowed for static members. It is necessary to explicitly specify the data type after the "static" keyword.
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Access with ClassName.MemberName : We can retrieve a static class member by utilizing the class name followed by the member name, like this: StaticClass.StaticMember.
Here's an example of a valid static class:
static class MyStaticClass
{
public static void StaticMethod()
{
// Static method logic
}
public static int StaticProperty { get; set; }
private static int staticField;
public static class NestedStaticClass
{
// Nested static class
}
}
It's important to understand that static classes are designed to contain stateless functionality and shared resources. They are particularly useful for utility methods, extension methods, constants, and similar scenarios where instances are not required.
Remember that adhering to these rules ensures that your static class is well-structured and serves its intended purpose efficiently.