How do I declare global variables in Visual C#?
+8
A:
How about this
public static class Globals {
pulic static int GlobalInt { get; set; }
}
Just be aware this isn't thread safe. Access like Globals.GlobalInt
This is probably another discussion, but in general globals aren't really needed in traditional OO development. I would take a step back and look at why you think you need a global variable. There might be a better design.
Bob
2009-11-27 01:28:06
In what sense is it not thread safe? And how is that any different from a non-static property?
Pavel Minaev
2009-11-27 01:54:29
-1 for not explaining why it isn't thread safe... needs more explanation
0A0D
2009-11-27 01:56:17
This isn't a question about thread safety. If you are interested in thread safety then ask in another question or update this question to explicitly include a thread safe solution. Also see this question for what thread safety is if you never heard the term http://stackoverflow.com/questions/261683/what-is-meant-by-thread-safe-code
Bob
2009-11-27 02:02:33
+1 for "I would take a step back and look at why you think you need a global variable. There might be a better design." I found in large projects, it is a lot more difficult to track the use of global variables opposed to instance variables. This helps, especially during maintenance.
Russell
2009-11-27 02:26:10
+1
A:
Use the const keyword:
public const int MAXIMUM_CACHE_SIZE = 100;
Put it in a static class eg
public class Globals
{
public const int MAXIMUM_CACHE_SIZE = 100;
}
And you have a global variable class :)
Russell
2009-11-27 01:28:58
"The const keyword is used to modify a declaration of a field or local variable. It specifies that the value of the field or the local variable cannot be modified." - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e6w8fe1b%28VS.71%29.aspx
mykhaylo
2009-11-27 01:34:42
lol yeah - i read the question too quickly, I usually only provide contants when exposing values globally. Everything else are in instance variables. :)
Russell
2009-11-27 02:27:43
A:
You can'nt declare global variables - use static class or Singleton pattern
mykhaylo
2009-11-27 01:30:06
+1
A:
The nearest you can do this in C# is to declare a public variable in a public static class. But even then, you have to ensure the namespace is imported, and you specify the class name when using it.
Mark Bertenshaw
2009-11-27 01:31:35
+2
A:
A public static field is probably the closest you will get to a global variable
public static class Globals
{
public static int MyGlobalVar = 42;
}
However, you should try to avoid using global variables as much as possible as it will complicate your program and make things like automated testing harder to achieve.
JohannesH
2009-11-27 01:32:29