What are the differences between Structs and Classes in C# (.NET)?

The struct type is suitable for representing lightweight. A struct would be less expensive. It is declared as

public struct Rect

{

public double height;

public double width;

public Rect(double d1, double d2)

{

height = d1;

width = d2;

}

public override string ToString()

{

return "(" + height +"," + width + ")";

}

}

It is used as

Rect r1 ;

r1.height = 10;

r1.width = 20;

Console.WriteLine(r1.ToString());

Rect r2 = new Rect(12, 23);

Console.WriteLine(r2.ToString());

• Structs are value types and classes are reference types. That is when you pass the struct to a method you pass the value and not the reference.

Rect r2 = new Rect(12, 23);

Console.WriteLine("Rect Dimensions before passing:" + r2.ToString());

change_the_struct(r2);

Console.WriteLine("Rect Dimensions after passing:" + r2.ToString());

private static void change_the_struct(Rect Rectangle1)

{

Rectangle1.height = 100;

Rectangle1.width = 100;

Console.WriteLine("Rectangle Dimensions " + Rectangle1.ToString());

}

It will give the following output, which shows the struct is passed by value.

• Unlike classes, structs can be instantiated without using a new operator. Static classes are an exception ()

Rect r1 ;

r1.height = 10;

r1.width = 20;

Console.WriteLine(r1.ToString());

• Structs can declare constructors, but they must take parameters.

public struct Rect

{

public double height;

public double width;

public Rect(double d1, double d2)

{

height = d1;

width = d2;

}

}

• A struct cannot inherit from another struct or class, and it cannot be the base of a class. All structs inherit directly from System.ValueType, which inherits from System.Object.
• Structs cannot have destructors, whereas classes can

.NET Structs, What are Structs, Example of Struct in .NET



See also :

How to Create Interfaces in .NET / Interfaces in .NET

How to Create Classes in C#

Properties in .NET / Get and Set Methods in .NET