Understanding Sealed Classes in C#
C# is a popular programming language used for developing a wide range of applications, from desktop software to web and mobile applications. One important feature of C# is the 'sealed' keyword, which is used to prevent further derivation of a class or override of a method.
When you declare a class as 'sealed' in C#, it means that it cannot be inherited by any other class. This is useful in situations where you want to prevent other developers from extending the functionality of your class.
For Example:
sealed class MyClass
{
// class members
}
Similarly, when you declare a method as 'sealed', it means that it cannot be overridden by any derived class. This is useful when you want to ensure that a method implementation remains consistent throughout the inheritance hierarchy.
For Example:
For Example:
class BaseClass
{
public virtual void MyMethod()
{
// implementation
}
}
class DerivedClass : BaseClass
{
public sealed override void MyMethod()
{
// implementation
}
}
In the above example, the MyMethod method of DerivedClass is 'sealed' and cannot be further overridden by any subclass.
However, it is important to note that the 'sealed' keyword can only be used on methods that are declared as virtual or abstract. Additionally, it cannot be used on static methods, constructors, or properties.
Overall, the 'sealed' keyword is a useful feature in C# that can help you control the behavior of your classes and methods in an inheritance hierarchy. By understanding how to use it effectively, you can write more robust and maintainable code in your C# applications.
