Constructors

Whenever a class or struct is created, its constructor is called. A class or struct may have multiple constructors that take different arguments. Constructors enable the programmer to set default values, limit instantiation, and write code that is flexible and easy to read.

Constructor syntax

A constructor is a method whose name is the same as the name of its type. Its method signature includes only the method name and its parameter list; it does not include a return type. The following example shows the constructor for a class named Person.

public class Person
{
   private string last;
   private string first;

   public Person(string lastName, string firstName)
   {
      last = lastName;
      first = firstName;
   }

   // Remaining implementation of Person class.
}

public class Location
{
   private string locationName;

   public Location(string name) => Name = name;

   public string Name
   {
      get => locationName;
      set => locationName = value;
   }
}

Static constructors

A class or struct can also have a static constructor, which initializes static members of the type. Static constructors are parameterless.

public class Adult : Person
{
   private static int minimumAge;

   public Adult(string lastName, string firstName) : base(lastName, firstName)
   { }

   static Adult()
   {
      minimumAge = 18;
   }

   // Remaining implementation of Adult class.
}