How to assign a parent reference to an object

Question

Suppose I have the following objects:

ZeroObject A = new ZeroObject("A");
ZeroObject B = new ZeroObject("B");
ZeroObject C = new ZeroObject("C");
ZeroObject D = new ZeroObject("D");

When I do:

B = A;

somewhere in the code, B should have a reference of A, right?

Then:

C = B;

that means C is reference of B. Is there a way to give C the reference of A without using:

C = A;

Is `ZeroObject` a `class` or a `struct`? Because if it's a `class`, your question doesn't make a whole lot of sense. — Damien_The_Unbeliever, Oct 01 '12 at 13:40
I got the feeling that you are confused, please check for example [this](http://www.albahari.com/valuevsreftypes.aspx) or google for C# reference vs value types. — flindeberg, Oct 01 '12 at 13:41
"is there a way to give C the reference of A without using C = A;" ...because you are entering an obfuscated C# contest? — aquinas, Oct 01 '12 at 13:41

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Firstly, I'm assuming ZeroObject is a class. If it's not, please disregard this answer.

when I do
B = A;
somewhere in the code,
B should have a reference of A, right?

Well, it means that B will have the same value as A. Any further changes to the value of A (e.g. to make it refer to a different object) will have no effect on A. If you change the data within the object that both A and B refer to, however, you'll be able to see that change through either reference.

Read my article on reference types and value types for more information.

is there a way to give C the reference of A without using

C = A;

in C#?

Well there are bizarre ways you could do it. For example:

public void SetValue<T>(out T target, T value)
{
     target = value;
}

...

SetValue(out C, A);

... but it's unclear why you'd want to do this.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 01 '12 at 13:46

I'm not convinced inventing some undefined "ZeroObject" is helpful so I'm just going to go ahead and use strings:

string A = "A";
string B = "B";
string C = "C";

//Values are now A, B, C

B = A;

//Values are now A, A, C

C = B;

//Values are now A, A, A

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 01 '12 at 13:42

It depends on what you exactly mean, saying " give C the reference".

If this is about "pointing to the same memory location", it would be enough to assign them to each other.

So

    B = A;
    C = B

C would point to the same A memory space.

But this is kind of really strange work way, honestly. Just assign a reference C=A.

If this is not what you're searching for, please clarify.

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 01 '12 at 13:43

Is ZeroObject a class of your own?

Programatically, it sounds like you're wanting a referenced object, such as a child object (whatever it may be called in this case).

So, ideally, you want another property on your ZeroObject class, of type ZeroObject - named ReferenceObject (or whatever you prefer), in which you'd assign your sub-object to.

I.e.

public class ZeroObject
{
    //Properties
    ZeroObject ReferenceObject { get; set; }
}

ZeroObject A = new ZeroObject("A");
ZeroObject B = new ZeroObject("B");

A.ReferenceObject = B;

Then simply access B by A.ReferenceObject.

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 01 '12 at 13:46

Your ZeroObject must have a corresponding property

public class ZeroObject
{
    public ZeroObject (string name)
    {
        Name = name;
    }

    public ZeroObject Parent { get; set }

    public string Name { get; private set; }
}

now, you can write

ZeroObject A = new ZeroObject("A");
ZeroObject B = new ZeroObject("B");
ZeroObject C = new ZeroObject("C");
ZeroObject D = new ZeroObject("D");

B.Parent = A;
C.Parent = B;
D.Parent = C;

score 0 · Answer 6 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

0

If you want same object without referenced it, check that link and use that basic solution.

Deep cloning objects

edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

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answered Oct 01 '12 at 13:46

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How to assign a parent reference to an object

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