C# - Type of Constructor

Type of Constructor in C#

In C#, constructors are special methods in a class used to initialize objects. They have the same name as the class and do not have a return type. Below are the main types of constructors in C#.

1. Default Constructor

Definition: A constructor with no parameters.

Purpose: Initializes default values for the object.

public class Example
{
    public Example() // Default constructor
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Default Constructor Called");
    }
}

2. Parameterized Constructor

Definition: A constructor that takes parameters to initialize an object with specific values.

Purpose: Allows flexibility in object creation

public class Example
{
    public int Value;

    public Example(int value) // Parameterized constructor
    {
        Value = value;
    }
}

3. Static Constructor

Definition: A constructor that initializes static data members of the class. It cannot have access modifiers or parameters.

Purpose: Used to initialize static members of the class and is executed only once, when the class is first accessed.

public class Example
{
    static Example() // Static constructor
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Static Constructor Called");
    }
}

4. Private Constructor
Definition: A constructor declared with the private access modifier.

Purpose: Used to restrict object creation from outside the class. Often used in Singleton patterns.

public class Example
{
    private Example() // Private constructor
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Private Constructor Called");
    }
}

5. Copy Constructor

Definition: A constructor that creates a new object as a copy of an existing object. C# does not provide a built-in copy constructor, but you can define one.

Purpose: Used to duplicate an object with the same values.

public class Example
{
    public int Value;

    public Example(int value)
    {
        Value = value;
    }

    public Example(Example other) // Copy constructor
    {
        Value = other.Value;
    }
}

6. Chained Constructor

Definition: A constructor that calls another constructor in the same class using the this keyword.

Purpose: Simplifies constructor chaining and reuses initialization code.

public class Example
{
    public int Value;

    public Example() : this(10) // Chained constructor
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Default Constructor Called");
    }

    public Example(int value)
    {
        Value = value;
    }
}