Uses of the Static Keyword in C# .NET

In C#, classes, structures and their members may be defined using the static keyword. While doing so, the static member must be invoked directly from the class level, rather than from a type instance. To illustrate the distinction, consider a good friend of ours, the most commonly used System.Console. As you have seen, you do not have to invoke the WriteLine() method from the object level:

// Error! WriteLine() is not an instance level method!   
Console c = new Console();   
c.WriteLine("I can't be printed...");  

but instead simply prefix the type name to the static WriteLine() member:

// Correct! WriteLine() is a static method.   
Console.WriteLine("Thanks...");   

• Rule: Static members can operate only on static class members.

If you attempt to make use of nonstatic class members (also called instance data) within a static method, you receive a compiler error.The static keyword can be used before Data, Methods, Constructors and Classes. Lets take a look at them.

(To be continued...)