explicitly refer to a class without a namespace in C#

Question

The code I'm working with has a class called Environment that is not in any namespace. Unfortunately if I am in a class that imports the System namespace, there is no way to refer to the custom class called Environment. I know this was an unfortunate choice and should be refactored, but is there any way I can explicitly refer to the conflicting class?

In C++ it seems the way to do this is by using ::, and in Java there is something called global:: How do I do it in C#?

Answer 1

C# also has a global (or unnamed) namespace - you can use global:: to access your class:

global::Environment 

See more on MSDN. Also see the :: operator.

You can create an alias for it as well:

using myEnv = global::Environment;
using sysEnv = System.Environment;

Answer 2

Should be global::Environment just like in Java

Answer 3

The code I'm working with has a class called Environment that is not in any namespace

You should absolutely change that. Or if it’s not your code, file a bug report and defer usage until the bug is fixed. Not using a namespace – that’s an absolute no-go.

(Notwithstanding the well-working solution posted by @Oded.)