To Perform shallow copy of an object MemberwiseClone() function is used.
In this example, you can also observe the behavior of static and non-static members.
To understand this function create Console Application.
In Console Application create class MyBaseClass as follows.
class MyBaseClass
{
public static string CompanyName = "My Company";
public int age;
public string name;
//overides to string method
public override string ToString()
{
return string.Format("CompanyName = {0}, age = {1}, name = {2}", CompanyName, age, name);
}
}
Now, Rename Program.cs to MyDerivedClass.cs, paste following code, and check output.
class MyDerivedClass : MyBaseClass
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Creates an instance of MyDerivedClass and assign values to its fields.
MyDerivedClass m1 = new MyDerivedClass();
MyDerivedClass.CompanyName = "Softweb Solutions";
m1.age = 42;
m1.name = "Sam";
//Performs a shallow copy of m1 and assign it to m2. (Value Type)
MyDerivedClass m2 = (MyDerivedClass)m1.MemberwiseClone();
//Performs a copy of m1 and assign it to m3. (Reference Type)
MyDerivedClass m3 = m1;
Console.WriteLine("\nBefore Change");
Console.WriteLine("Object m1---------:" + m1.ToString());
Console.ReadKey();
Console.WriteLine("Object m2---------:" + m2.ToString());
Console.ReadKey();
Console.WriteLine("Object m3---------:" + m3.ToString());
Console.ReadKey();
//Now Change m1 and print m1, m2, and m3
MyDerivedClass.CompanyName = "TRC";
m1.age = 100;
m1.name = "Charles";
Console.WriteLine("\n\nAfter Change");
Console.WriteLine("Object m1---------:" + m1.ToString());
Console.ReadKey();
Console.WriteLine("Object m2---------:" + m2.ToString());
Console.ReadKey();
Console.WriteLine("Object m3---------:" + m3.ToString());
Console.ReadKey();
}
}
