C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types. Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings. The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references. A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision.

For example, in C++ we can do this:

int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; //x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack!

Answered by Raksha , an ibibo Master, at 8:22 AM on June 17, 2008

hello radhe Hi,

The fundamental differences between value types and reference types are given below-

C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types.

Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings.

The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references.

A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision.

For example, in C++ we can do this:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack

Answered by raj u , an ibibo Master, at 1:10 PM on June 04, 2008

Hi,

The fundamental differences between value types and reference types are given below-

C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types.

Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings.

The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references.

A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision.

For example, in C++ we can do this:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack!

Answered by Romi , an ibibo Master, at 6:30 PM on June 03, 2008

Hi,

The fundamental differences between value types and reference types are given below-

C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types.

Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings.

The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references.

A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision.

For example, in C++ we can do this:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack!

Answered by Ajay Pal , an ibibo Master, at 2:57 PM on June 02, 2008

well Radhe, The fundamental differences between value types and reference types are given below-

C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types.

Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings.

The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references.

A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision. int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; //x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack!

Answered by satyaiitk , an ibibo Master, at 11:23 AM on June 02, 2008

well;
C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types. Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings. The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references. A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision.

For example, in C++ we can do this:

int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; //x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack!

Answered by kishore , an ibibo Master, at 1:10 AM on June 02, 2008

Value and reference are different...
whenever a function is called by its value , it only passes value of the data members...but whenever a function is called by reference the actual memory address of the data members(memory location at which they are stored) is passed...

Answered by Shipra , an ibibo Citizen, at 10:53 PM on June 01, 2008

Refer the following website you will know everything
http://www.albahari.com /value%20vs%20reference%20types.htm l

Answered by chandragiris , an ibibo Citizen, at 8:41 PM on May 31, 2008

David Chappell in his article “Understanding .NET's Common Type System“ explains “A basic difference between value types and reference types is that an instance of a value type has its value allocated on the stack, while an instance of a reference type has only a reference to its actual value allocated on the stack. The value itself is allocated on the heap“

http://www.awprofessional.com/a rticles/article.asp?p=24456&redir=1

Answered by MAXI , an ibibo Specialist, at 5:56 AM on May 31, 2008

The fundamental differences between value types and reference types are given below-

C# divides types into two categories - value types and reference types.

Most of the intrinsic types (e.g. int, char) are value types. Structs are also value types. Reference types include classes, arrays and strings.

The basic idea is straightforward - an instance of a value type represents the actual data, whereas an instance of a reference type represents a pointer or reference to the data.

The most confusing aspect of this for C++ developers is that C# has predetermined which types are represented as values, and which are represented as references.

A C++ developer expects to take responsibility for this decision.

For example, in C++ we can do this:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int *x2 = new int(3) // x2 is a pointer to a value on the heap
but in C# there is no control:
int x1 = 3; // x1 is a value on the stack
int x2 = new int();
x2 = 3; // x2 is also a value on the stack!

Answered by Shobhit , an ibibo Master, at 8:06 PM on May 30, 2008