default value of "value" in primitive types

Question

primitive types (integer, string, etc) are now classes. However to access the value of the class you just use the object name (ex, x=y). It isn't necessary to refer to a property of the class (x.value = y.value).

To implement an abstract data class (say inches), we need a value property so if we have dim x as inches (our class) we have to use: x.value = 3

is that fair?

Answer 1

You have the option of overloading the assignment operator to suite your needs.

For example:

public static implicit operator Inches(int value)
{
   return new Inches(value);
}

At which point you would then be able to do something like so:

Inches something = 4;

Answer 2

Another example:

class Program
{
    class A
    {
        private int _x;
        public A(int x)
        {
            _x = x;
        }

        public static implicit operator int(A a)
        {
            return a._x;
        }
    }
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        A a = new A(3);
        Console.WriteLine(a);
    }
}

Answer 3

I think what you are looking for is an implicit conversion to and from a primitive type. Joseph gave part of the C# code, here is the VB.Net version (with both operator types)

Class Inches
    Private _value As Integer
    Public ReadOnly Property Value() As Integer
        Get
            Return _value
        End Get
    End Property
    Public Sub New(ByVal x As Integer)
        _value = x
    End Sub

    Public Shared Widening Operator CType(ByVal x As Integer) As Inches
        Return New Inches(x)
    End Operator

    Public Shared Widening Operator CType(ByVal x As Inches) As Integer
        Return x.Value
    End Operator
End Class

This allows you to write the following code

    Dim x As Inches = 42
    Dim y As Integer = x