inherited static readonly fields

[Ranier Dunno]

Hi,

I have a class hierarchy, and would like all classes in
the tree to have a common, static readonly variable -
with a class-specific value. I'd like it to be readonly
(it should never change), but this prevents me from
setting its value in the static constructor of the
subclasses - I'm allowed to set its value in the
superclass constructor only.

Any suggestions as to what would be a good solution?

An example is provided below:

public class A
{
public static readonly string MyString;

static A
{
MyString = "Hello, World!"; // This is OK.
}
}

public class B : A
{
static B
{
MyString = "Bonjour, Le Monde!"; // This is NOT.
}
}

[Jon Skeet [C# MVP]]

Ranier Dunno <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

I have a class hierarchy, and would like all classes in
the tree to have a common, static readonly variable -
with a class-specific value.
That's not going to happen, basically.
I'd like it to be readonly
(it should never change), but this prevents me from
setting its value in the static constructor of the
subclasses - I'm allowed to set its value in the
superclass constructor only.
It wouldn't help you even if you could set it in your derived type's
static constructor - if you declare a static variable in the base type,
there's only one variable however many derived types you have.
Any suggestions as to what would be a good solution?

Have a map from type (or typename) to value instead, and make each
class set the value for itself in its static constructor. If you make
the map itself private and give a public readonly property to fetch the
value, and a protected method to write the value, you should be okay.

--
Jon Skeet - <sk***@pobox.com>
http://www.pobox.com/~skeet
If replying to the group, please do not mail me too

[Ranier Dunno]

-----Original Message-----
Ranier Dunno <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

I have a class hierarchy, and would like all classes in the tree to have a common, static readonly variable -
with a class-specific value.
That's not going to happen, basically.

I'd like it to be readonly
(it should never change), but this prevents me from
setting its value in the static constructor of the
subclasses - I'm allowed to set its value in the
superclass constructor only.

It wouldn't help you even if you could set it in your

derived type'sstatic constructor - if you declare a static variable in the base type,there's only one variable however many derived types you have.

D'oh! Hadn't even thought about that problem :/

Any suggestions as to what would be a good solution?
Have a map from type (or typename) to value instead, and

make eachclass set the value for itself in its static constructor. If you makethe map itself private and give a public readonly property to fetch thevalue, and a protected method to write the value, you

should be okay.
Brilliant workaround! You the man! :-D