Use of "this" keyword in formal parameters for static methods in C#

c# parameters this
kpozin picture kpozin · May 11, 2009 · Viewed 129.3k times · Source

I've come across several instances of C# code like the following:

public static int Foo(this MyClass arg)

I haven't been able to find an explanation of what the this keyword means in this case. Any insights?

Answer

Preet Sangha picture Preet Sangha · May 11, 2009

This is an extension method. See here for an explanation.

Extension methods allow developers to add new methods to the public contract of an existing CLR type, without having to sub-class it or recompile the original type. Extension Methods help blend the flexibility of "duck typing" support popular within dynamic languages today with the performance and compile-time validation of strongly-typed languages.

Extension Methods enable a variety of useful scenarios, and help make possible the really powerful LINQ query framework... .

it means that you can call 

MyClass myClass = new MyClass();
int i = myClass.Foo();

rather than 

MyClass myClass = new MyClass();
int i = Foo(myClass);

This allows the construction of fluent interfaces as stated below.

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