Why does C# programmers use

Konstantin Vasserman

When I can't remember the name of a member I type this. to get IntelliSense to help me. Then I go back and remove this.. I don't know why I do that. I guess, this just doesn't look good for some strange reason... :confused:

Chris Maunder

I'm with you, Konstantin. Superflous this's make me shudder. I will probably be scorned by the masses, but I'm going to continue using 'm_' prefixes for my member variables. cheers, Chris Maunder

Jason Hooper

Is that more because of the force of habit, or does a need remain for the use of the m_ prefix to clarify things or help you write better code? I'm 50/50 on the matter; I've never collaborated on a project with others or worked as part of a team, so I tend to just do whatever I feel like doing at the time. - Jason (SonorkID 100.611) Veni, vidi, VC - I came, I saw, Visual C

Konstantin Vasserman

m_Hmm ;)

Jason Hooper

m_cHammer :) I actually used m_cHandle the other day and it reminded me of him - Jason (SonorkID 100.611) Veni, vidi, VC - I came, I saw, Visual C

Chris Maunder

lol. Good one. cheers, Chris Maunder

Alvaro Mendez

:laugh: m_cHammer.cantTouch(this); Regards, Alvaro A priest, a minister and a rabbi walk into a bar. The bartender says, "What is this, a joke?"

Simon Walton

Damn you VS.NET owners. Don't you realise that VS6 users are superior? Simon If I type UpdataData(FALSE) instead of UpdateData(FALSE) once more... Sonork ID 100.10024

Chris Maunder

In situations like

class Foo
{
protected int Field;
void SetField(int Field)
{
this.Field = Field;
}
}

Gives me the heeby jeebies. I prefer

class Foo
{
protected int m_iField;
void SetField(int Field)
{
m_iField = Field;
}
}

By using Hungarian in your member variables you are also never tempted to have:

class Foo
{
public int Field;
...
}

(ie publicly accessible member variables). Sometimes public access to fields is fine (eg simple structures like points) but C# provides for properties which adds a level of future-proofing (and encapsulation) that I've found invaluable cheers, Chris Maunder

Daniel Ferguson

It sounds to me a bit like putting 'Earth' at the end of your own address. :| "I've read the Bible through a couple of times and it is a nice collection of morality stories and adventure fiction. Sort of like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer except without the laughs." -- Michael P Butler 14 Mar '02

David Wulff

Daniel Ferguson wrote: It sounds to me a bit like putting 'Earth' at the end of your own address. That's what I do on things like CV's, quotes, etc. It may sound stupid (and childish), but I don't want to work with anyone who does not have enough of a sense of humour to appreciate that. So far it has worked to my advantage too.

David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk (updated) I could have created a cool signature brought to life with complex interactive DHTML, but I don't like to show off.

Nemanja Trifunovic

Exactly. That's why I often use it, even with C++. We don't use Hungarian notation where I work, and this is a little "workaround". I vote pro drink :beer:

Jarek G

Its a standard notation in oop languages a specially in Java and C# you are using namespacing in c# and in your namespace you might have some int or.. that have the same name but don't belong to the class?? The other thing is when you using this. you get intelihelp from Visual Studio :-) /Jarek "Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited while imagination embraces the entire world." -Albert Einstein

Chris Maunder

Simon Walton wrote: If I type UpdataData(FALSE) instead of UpdateData(FALSE) once more... ROTFL!! How many times have I done that...:rolleyes: cheers, Chris Maunder

Konstantin Vasserman

LOL. :laugh:

Atlantys

it's all about the "m_" ;P it just makes sense.

Russell Morris

G. Suresh wrote: Another reason is that you get Intellisense support for members of the current class. True, but I've found that you can get the same thing by always prefixing your member variables with the 'm_' wart. Then, when you want to reference one, type 'm_' and then hit Ctrl+Spacebar, and IntelliSense will pop up. These days I can hit Ctrl+Space almost as fast as Alt+F+S :) -- Russell Morris "WOW! Chocolate - half price!" - Homer Simpson, while in the land of chocolate.

Jorgen Sigvardsson

The only names that can clash in C# are function arguments and member variables... right? Then it's very easy to spot which names are local to the member and which are local to the object/class. And "this" could very well be replaced with "m_", then there is no ambiguity (and less to type as well!) just m_ away :) Sonorked as well: 100.13197 jorgen FreeBSD is sexy.

Jorgen Sigvardsson

I'm with you all the way... Sonorked as well: 100.13197 jorgen FreeBSD is sexy.

Jorgen Sigvardsson

Jarek Gibek wrote: Its a standard notation in oop languages a specially in Java and C# I don't buy that. OOP is a methodology, and syntax is just a way to express it. This excessive use of "this" is just too much noice. Jarek Gibek wrote: you are using namespacing in c# and in your namespace you might have some int or.. that have the same name but don't belong to the class?? IIRC the only instance names that can clash in C# are member variables and function arguments. So I don't see how you can mistake a variable name for another (except for the member/function argument case). Jarek Gibek wrote: The other thing is when you using this. you get intelihelp from Visual Studio Ok, I'll buy that. But I'll bet you a million that "m_" is faster to type than "this." :) Sonorked as well: 100.13197 jorgen FreeBSD is sexy.