Scope variables in C#?

Question

I am reading some C# text regarding scope of variables and got some confusion:

Case 1:

class A
{
   void F() {
      i = 1;
   }
   int i = 0;
}

Case 2

class A
{
    void F()
    {
         i = 1;  // Error, use precedes declaration
         int i = 0;
     }
}

in both case 1 and 2, the variable i is used before it is declared and initialized but why the Case 2 got error? (I have read an explanation that because i is a global variable in case 1, but still want to know if there is another explanation)

slandau · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-01 15:08:40Z

6

int i is a class variable in Case 1. When the class is defined, all the variables defined in the scope of the class, not each method, are also defined.

In Case 2, you define the variable as part of the method, and AFTER you use it.

answered Aug 1, 2011 at 15:08

slandau

24.2k43 gold badges124 silver badges186 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Arief · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-01 15:10:35Z

1

on Case 1, variable i is declared as an instance variable, so it perfectly valid if you declare a function that uses it first and then the variable declaration because when you call the method, automatically the variable is already been initialized.

on Case 2, variable i is a local variable to the function so it is not valid to do it like that.

answered Aug 1, 2011 at 15:10

Arief

6,0857 gold badges40 silver badges41 bronze badges

Comments

Jeff LaFay · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-01 15:10:07Z

0

When you declare variables inside a class code block that makes it a member variable, which is available to at least any of the functions in the class. If you create another function, it can also reference "i" as well. Your variable is delcared when an object for the class is instantiated.

It doesn't work in the second class because it wasn't declared at all beforehand.

answered Aug 1, 2011 at 15:10

Jeff LaFay

13.4k14 gold badges74 silver badges102 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Scope variables in C#?

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Related