Static implicit operator

c# operators implicit-conversion
Bart picture Bart · Nov 25, 2010 · Viewed 48.7k times · Source

I recently found this code:

 public static implicit operator XElement(XmlBase xmlBase)
 {
     return xmlBase.Xml;
 }

What does static implicit operator mean?

Answer

Rex M picture Rex M · Nov 25, 2010

This is a conversion operator. It means that you can write this code:

XmlBase myBase = new XmlBase();
XElement myElement = myBase;

And the compiler won't complain! At runtime, the conversion operator will be executed - passing myBase in as the argument, and returning a valid XElement as the result.

It's a way for you as a developer to tell the compiler:

"even though these look like two totally unrelated types, there is actually a way to convert from one to the other; just let me handle the logic for how to do it."

Related questions

How can I calculate divide and modulo for integers in C#?

How can I calculate division and modulo for integer numbers in C#?

Read More
What does question mark and dot operator ?. mean in C# 6.0?

With C# 6.0 in the VS2015 preview we have a new operator, ?., which can be used like this: public class A { string PropertyOfA { get; set; } } ... var a = new A(); var foo = "bar"; if(a?.PropertyOfA != foo) { //somecode } What exactly does it …

Read More
Is there an exponent operator in C#?

For example, does an operator exist to handle this? float Result, Number1, Number2; Number1 = 2; Number2 = 2; Result = Number1 (operator) Number2; In the past the ^ operator has served as an exponential operator in other languages, but in C# it is a bit-wise …

Read More