A static constructor is used to initialize any static data, or to perform a particular action that needs performed once only. It is called automatically before the first instance is created or any static members are referenced.
class SimpleClass { // Static constructor static SimpleClass() { //... } }
Static constructors have the following properties:
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A static constructor does not take access modifiers or have parameters.
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A static constructor is called automatically to initialize the class before the first instance is created or any static members are referenced.
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A static constructor cannot be called directly.
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The user has no control on when the static constructor is executed in the program.
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A typical use of static constructors is when the class is using a log file and the constructor is used to write entries to this file.
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Static constructors are also useful when creating wrapper classes for unmanaged code, when the constructor can call theLoadLibrary method.
In this example, the class Bus
has a static constructor and one static member,Drive()
. When Drive()
is called, the static constructor is invoked to initialize the class.
public class Bus { // Static constructor: static Bus() { System.Console.WriteLine("The static constructor invoked."); } public static void Drive() { System.Console.WriteLine("The Drive method invoked."); } } class TestBus { static void Main() { Bus.Drive(); } } Output
The static constructor invoked.
The Drive method invoked.
REF:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k9x6w0hc(vs.80).aspx