Constructor with no definition

Question

I'm new to .Net and I just saw this code that doesn't make sense to me (slightly abridged):

namespace test
{
    public class sub : super
    {
        public sub(string text);
    }
}

As you can see, there is a constructor that takes an argument, but does not implement a definition. How does that work? My guess is that it somehow relates to the super class, but I dont understand how, and I havent been able to find anything on Google.

Edit: Im running this in VS2010, and I just noticed that the tab has [from metadata] in the title. Perhaps this is why?

that code doesn't compile.are you using a decompiler to see this code? — Selman Genç, Mar 26 '14 at 20:32
@Selman22 I wouldnt expect it to, seeing as super was never defined. Either way, I figured out why this is happening - its because Im looking at metadata and not actual sourcecode — David says Reinstate Monica, Mar 26 '14 at 20:33
This is just the decompiled "interface" of your code (this is what "from metadata" means) — andyp, Mar 26 '14 at 20:34

score 6 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 26 '14 at 20:33

6

That's not code.

That's text that looks somewhat like code based on the metadata in the assembly. You'll see this when the IDE doesn't have access to the source code in question (For example, you press F12 on a method in a referenced assembly.) It provides the method signatures, properties, fields, etc from the types, without providing any of the actual implementation.

As written, the code you posted wouldn't even compile in C#.

answered Mar 26 '14 at 20:33

Mike Christensen

88,082
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Note, if you do want to see the code you will need to get a [decompiler](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4480091/c-sharp-decompilers) or if you are looking for a class built in to the .NET runtime itself you can also see the source for it on http://referencesource.microsoft.com/ – Scott Chamberlain Mar 26 '14 at 20:39

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 26 '14 at 20:33

2

If from the metadata, it's not going to show you the implementation of the methods.

answered Mar 26 '14 at 20:33

Allister

61
1

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 26 '14 at 20:40

0

It looks like code but it is text based on the metadata in the assembly. It means that the IDE is unable to access the source code in question.

answered Mar 26 '14 at 20:40

user3349095

59
2
10

Constructor with no definition

3 Answers3