In C#, is there a way to enforce use of "this/base" qualification in instance members?

Question

Sometimes it can be confusing reading code in instance members that refers to other instance members of the same class (or a base class):

public void MyMethod()
{
    Where = did + AllTheseWeirdThings(GetDeclared()); // ?
}

Having a coding standard something like "prefix all private/protected members with "_" doesn't help, because instance members can still refer to public members.

It would be much better to read this:

public void MyMethod()
{
    this.Where = this.did + base.AllTheseWeirdThings(this.GetDeclared()); // ?
}

Is there a way to enforce this, either with compiler options, StyleCop, or something similar?

Answer 1

In C# this and base are optional. The only time you need to use them (in this context) is if there is an ambiguity. There is no compiler switch to change this behaviour.

I'd also suggest not adding the StyleCop rule. It's generally better to only use this and base when you have to, for example in a constructor you might write:

this.foo = foo;

Enforcing usage of the "this" and "base" keywords won't make the code any better quality, or any more readable. If your code is so confusing that you can't figure out where members are defined I'd suggest refactoring it and making your class heirarchy simpler.

Answer 2

There's no compiler option that enforces your rule.

However, a cursory Google search brings up this StyleCop rule: http://www.thewayithink.co.uk/stylecop/sa1101.htm

ReSharper has a similar option.