1

  1. Hello, can you please explain me what is the significance of [Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.AttributeLogicalNameAttribute("activityid")] in the following code?

    [Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.AttributeLogicalNameAttribute("activityid")]
public Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.EntityReference ActivityId
{
    get
    {
        return this.GetAttributeValue<Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.EntityReference>("activityid");
    }
    set
    {
        this.OnPropertyChanging("ActivityId");
        this.SetAttributeValue("activityid", value);
        this.OnPropertyChanged("ActivityId");
    }
}

    I searched for this thing and I got many posts which gave me answer as the ones in square brackets are Attributes in C#. But, then attributes are related with methods. Over here, ActivityId doesn't seem to be a method. So, how can [Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.AttributeLogicalNameAttribute("activityid")] act as an attribute?

  2. Is it related to C# or it has got something to do with CRM?

Vikram
  • 3,996
  • 8
  • 37
  • 58
  • @DavinTryon, I thought people will put comment saying it is possible duplicate of other posts. But, please read my Q properly. It says "I searched for this thing and I got many posts which gave me answer as the ones in square brackets are Attributes in C#. But, then attributes are related with methods. Over here, ActivityId doesn't seem to be a method. So, how can [Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.AttributeLogicalNameAttribute("activityid")] act as an attribute?" – Vikram May 08 '14 at 15:52
  • 1
    Attributes in C# can be applied to any attribute target (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.attributetargets(v=vs.110).aspx) – Davin Tryon May 08 '14 at 15:52
  • 3
    @Vikram Attributes are not limited to methods: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/tw5zxet9.aspx – Adam Houldsworth May 08 '14 at 15:53
  • @DavinTryon and Adam Houldsworth, Thanks for the explanation and the links. But, then what will be the use of attribute when it is used with field? – Vikram May 08 '14 at 15:56
  • 2
    @Vikram Attributes are only used via reflection or sometimes via the compiler. The intended style of use is usually the same regardless of where it is applied. – Adam Houldsworth May 08 '14 at 15:57

1 Answers1

2

The confusion comes from your statement about attributes only being valid on methods. Attributes can be valid on items specified in the AttributeTargets enum:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.attributetargets.aspx

This then puts you back to the answer being "they are attributes". That attribute has simply been applied to a property.

Adam Houldsworth
  • 63,413
  • 11
  • 150
  • 187
  • You are correct! I got it. But, then why a property would have an attribute? I mean, what is the use of it? Is it used with for 'set' inside that property? – Vikram May 08 '14 at 16:00