Determining Identity of two Value Types Instances

[Spectre1337]

Let's assume for a moment that i have a function that takes two value type instances:

public static bool CheckIdentity( ref int a, ref int b )
{
return Object.ReferenceEquals( a, b );
}
 

i need to check parameters a and b for identity, or in other words, return true if they point to the same variable in memory. the ReferenceEquals() function understandably returns false since a and b are boxed as they enter the function. how would i solve this problem?

[Spectre1337]

bump. impossible? guh.

[Plater]

I am not sure you can do it with base datatypes (ints, floats, etc) But I think it would work for complex data types, like custom classes and stuff?

[Spectre1337]

I am not sure you can do it with base datatypes (ints, floats, etc) But I think it would work for complex data types, like custom classes and stuff?

it works on instances of reference types (classes), naturally, because that's what ReferenceEquals was made for. however, value types (structs) are boxed before they are sent to this function, thus ending up with a different memory location of each time.

my question was if there is perhaps a generic function that takes two value parameters by ref and then compares their memory location like that.