C#

Christian Graus wrote:

yes, that is true, but you still need to specify ref if you want to pass by reference.

Christian Graus wrote:

In .NET, reference types are reference counted. A new object is created when your old object is modified, unless it's passed by ref

S. Senthil Kumar wrote:

I think you misread the question.

S. Senthil Kumar wrote:

Huh? I thought reference counting is solely for the purpose of garbage collection. It definitely is *not* used to implement copy on write semantics.

public int[] SomeArray
{
   get { return someArray; }
}

int []arr = obj.SomeArray;
arr[0] = arr[1] = 0;

public int [] SomeArray()
{
   return (int[] )((ICloneable)someArray).Clone();
}

Use a method when:
    ...
    * The member returns an array. Properties that return arrays can be very misleading. 
      Usually it is necessary to return a copy of the internal array so that the user cannot change internal state. 
      This, coupled with the fact that a user can easily assume it is an indexed property, leads to inefficient code. 
      In the following code example, each call to the Methods property creates a copy of the array. 

The OnClick method also allows derived classes to handle the event without attaching a delegate. This is the preferred technique for handling the event in a derived class.

Notes to Inheritors: When overriding OnClick in a derived class, be sure to call the base class's OnClick method so that registered delegates receive the event.

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace OnClickOverride
{
	public class MainForm : Form
	{
		public MainForm()
		{
			Height = 100;
			Width = 200;
			Button b = new Button();
			b.Text = "Normal";
			b.Top = 10;
			b.Left = 10;
			b.Click += new EventHandler( normal_Click );
			Controls.Add( b );
			b = new OverriddenButton();
			b.Text = "Abnormal";
			b.Top = 10;
			b.Left = 100;
			b.Click += new EventHandler( abnormal_Click );
			Controls.Add( b );
		}

		private void normal_Click( object sender, EventArgs e )
		{
			MessageBox.Show( "Clicked the normal button." );
		}

		private void abnormal_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
		{
			MessageBox.Show( "Clicked the abnormal button." );
		}

		[STAThread]
		public static void Main()
		{
			Application.Run( new MainForm() );
		}
	}

	public class OverriddenButton : Button
	{
		protected override void OnClick(EventArgs e)
		{
			// Nothing happens.
		}
	}
}

"we must lose precision to make significant
      statements about complex systems."
              -deKorvin on uncertainty

"we must lose precision to make significant
      statements about complex systems."
              -deKorvin on uncertainty