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Using interfaces on abstract classes in C#

Asked 2009-03-26T01:58:32.060
21

I'm learning C# coming from C++ and have run into a wall.

I have an abstract class AbstractWidget, an interface IDoesCoolThings, and a class which derives from AbstractWidget called RealWidget:

public interface IDoesCoolThings
{
    void DoCool();
}

public abstract class AbstractWidget : IDoesCoolThings
{
    void IDoesCoolThings.DoCool()
    {
        Console.Write("I did something cool.");
    }
}

public class RealWidget : AbstractWidget
{

}

When I instantiate a RealWidget object and call DoCool() on it, the compiler gives me an error saying

'RealWidget' does not contain a definition for 'DoCool'

I can cast RealWidget object to an IDoesCoolThings and then the call will work, but that seems unnecessary and I also lose polymorphism (AbstractWidget.DoCool() will always be called even if i define RealWidget.DoCool()).

I imagine the solution is simple, but I've tried a variety of things and for the life of me can't figure this one out.

c# inheritance interface abstract-class
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1 Answer

3

You should do it this way:

public interface IDoesCoolThings 
{
   void DoCool();
}

public abstract class AbstractWidget 
{
   public void DoCool()
   {
      Console.WriteLine("I did something cool.");
   }
}

public class Widget : AbstractWidget, IDoesCoolThings 
{
}

Usage:

var widget = new Widget();
widget.DoCool();
answered 2013-01-30T07:38:24.580

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