Question

At a previous organization, we implemented an extension method that created a shorthand for String.Format. The method was called “String.F”. However I do not seem to be able to get this to work. A former co-worker gave me the following code which I am listing below along with my own test method. In the function ‘Test()’, “String.F” throws and error and is not displayed in intellisence. I would ask if this is not possible, but I have writen code using a call to this method. Is this only possilble when using an instantiated string? Thanks.

public static class MyExtensions {
    public static string F(this string target, params object[] args) {
        return "hello";
    }
}

class TestExtensions {
    public string Test() {
        return String.F("test:{0}", "test");
    }
}

Answer 1

You cannot do extension method and use it in a static context. Extension methods can be used only as instance methods.

You can do

public static string F(this string target, params object[] args) {
        return String.Format(target, args);
}

and use it like this

"test:{0}".F("test");