Structures in .NET

As we discussed in previous post, enumerations and structures are two complex types that are value types. Structures allow you encapsulate certain data elements similar to a class, except that structures are value types while classes are reference types.

Structures are very similar to classes with few differences.

• Unlike classes, structures cannot inherit from other structures or a class, although they can implement interfaces.
• Since they cannot inherit from other structures, an structure cannot be a base structure, which means structure members cannot be declared as "Protected".
• Similar to classes, structures can have constructors, properties, methods etc.
• Unlike classes, you cannot declare a parameterless constructor in a structure, although you can declare overloaded constructors with parameters. Strucutres always have a default constructor.
• Unlike classes, you can instantiate an structure without using "new" operator.

Structures are suitable when you want to implement lightweight objects such as a point or color or a rectangle etc. 

Let's see an example in action...

    using System;

    struct StructExample

    {

        private int _width;

        private int _height;

   

        public int Width

        {

            get { return _width;}

            set {_width = value;}

         }

       public int Height

      {

           get { return _height;}

           set {_height = value;}

      }

   }

Let's use this structure

    Using System;

    class TestStructure

    {

       static void Main()

       {

             StructExample example1 = new StructExample();

             example1.Width  =1;

             example2.Height = 3;

             Console.WriteLine(example1.Width + ' ' + example1.Height);

             Console.Read();

        }

    }

As I mentioned previously, you should only use structures for lightweight objects because they are value types and are stored on a stack. Also, since they are not reference type, you are directly dealing with the structure and not with a reference, like you would with a class.

Thank you.