If a class takes object type parameter and we pass an integer dirctly, what will be the output

e.g a class xyz takes object type as input parameter
xyz(object o);

and we need to pass an integer through xyz.
xyz(2);

 then what will be the apprach in c#

What will the 'output' be? Depends what the function does doesn't it?

You can do this in C# because everything in the CLR is derived from Object. int is an abreviation for the System.Int32 class.

However int is whats called a 'value type' and so something called 'boxing' will take place which takes up more memory and processor time - this is why generic classes for value types are a good thing instead of just using an ArrayList. Search for more information on any of these topics you want to know more about.

/- Sam Judson : Wrox Technical Editor -/

Hi

    Sam,

             Thanks for your reply. So, we dont have to explicitly convert the integer type to reference type(object)before passing it to xyz(object o) right??

Have you actually tried it? I suggest with this kind of really simple question you just knock up a 4 line program that test your theory. The following are the lines of code that need to be added to a standard console application:

xyz(1);

public static void xyz(object o)
{
}

/- Sam Judson : Wrox Technical Editor -/

Sam is right, sometimes the best way to learn is to just "roll your sleaves up" and get your hands dirty with some code. Examine the behaviour and see what its doing. You are then in a position to either understand why, or not. If you do, great, if not, then forums are an ideal place to ask "Why" rather than "What".

Put simply, the answer to this question is obvious is you have an understanding of the fundamentals of Object-Orientated programming.

Follow Sam's advice, play with some code, see the results, find out why it does what it does! A lot of the fun of coding comes from discovery!

Rob
The Developing Developer
Currently Working Towards: MCAD C#
My Blog: http://www.robzyc.spaces.live.com
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