C# : how do you obtain a class' base class ?

Question

In C#, how does one obtain a reference to the base class of a given class?

For example, suppose you have a certain class, MyClass, and you want to obtain a reference to MyClass' superclass.

I have in mind something like this:

Type  superClass = MyClass.GetBase() ;
// then, do something with superClass

However, it appears there is no suitable GetBase method.

Answer 1

Type superClass = typeof(MyClass).BaseType;

Additionally, if you don't know the type of your current object, you can get it's type using GetType and then get the BaseType of that type:

Type superClass = myObject.GetType().BaseType;

documentation

Answer 2

The Type.BaseType property is what you're looking for.

Type  superClass = typeof(MyClass).BaseType;

Answer 3

Use Reflection from the Type of the current class.

 Type superClass = myClass.GetType().BaseType;

Answer 4

you can just use base.

Answer 5

This will get the base type (if it exists) and create an instance of it:

Type baseType = typeof(MyClass).BaseType;
object o = null;
if(baseType != null) {
    o = Activator.CreateInstance(baseType);
}

Alternatively, if you don't know the type at compile time use the following:

object myObject;
Type baseType = myObject.GetType().BaseType;
object o = null;
if(baseType != null) {
    o = Activator.CreateInstance(baseType);
}

See Type.BaseType and Activator.CreateInstance on MSDN.

Answer 6

obj.base will get you a reference to the parent object from an instance of the derived object obj.

typeof(obj).BaseType will get you a reference to the parent object's type from an instance of the derived object obj.