C# – If it’s a static object is using ref as method argument better

c

I have an object 'connection' which holds the path/credentials to a SQL DB.

When calling methods; we usually do this:

Connection con = new Connection();

GetSalesData(con);


public static void (Connection con)
{
   // Run code

}

As I understand, we just created two instance of connection, so that means two memory allocations. Is it better to do this:

Connection con = new Connection();

GetSalesData(ref con);


public static void (ref Connection con)
{
   // Run code

}

Best Answer

As I understand, we just created two instance of connection

No, we did not. Passing a variable automatically works as pass-by-reference for reference types and pass-by-value for value types. As your connection is a class, this means it is a reference type and only a reference will be passed to the method. You never created a second instance of your connection.

This has nothing to do with the static modifier, neither on the variable, nor on the method.

I suggest you spent a little while reading the MSDN on this topic, especially the two links called Passing Reference-Type Parameters and Passing Value-Type Parameters.

In addition, as another commenter remarked, you may want to read the excellent Jon Skeet on parameters.

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