Question

Example:

public class EmailBusinessLogic
{
    #region Fields and Constructors
    SmtpClient smtp;
    Parameter prm;

    public EmailBusinessLogic()
    {
        prm = CostHelper.GetParameter();
        smtp = new SmtpClient(prm.EmailHost, prm.EmailPort);
        smtp.UseDefaultCredentials = prm.EmailUseDefaultCredentials;
        smtp.DeliveryMethod = GetDeliveryMethod(prm.EmailDeliveryMethod); //CALL TO METHOD DOWN BELOW, IS THIS A GOOD PRACTICE?
        smtp.EnableSsl = prm.EmailEnableSSL;
        smtp.Credentials = new NetworkCredential(prm.AppUserName, prm.AppPass, prm.AppNetworkDomain);

    }
    #endregion

    #region Instance Methods
    public SmtpDeliveryMethod GetDeliveryMethod(string name)
    {
        switch (name)
        {
            case "Network": return SmtpDeliveryMethod.Network;
            case "IISDirectory": return SmtpDeliveryMethod.PickupDirectoryFromIis;
            case "OtherDirectory": return SmtpDeliveryMethod.SpecifiedPickupDirectory;
            default: throw new NonExistentObjectException();
        }
    } 

I am asking this because its a small paradox, i know the constructor always gets called first when instantiating this class into a new object. And i would not want to make it a static method because that will create a static instance that does not get garbage collected.

If i am wrong please correct me, a clear answer from an experienced fellow programmer is highly welcome. Thank you.

Answer 1

Calling a non-static method in the constructor can be ok – but you should avoid it for virtual methods, because if the method is overridden the actual method will be called on a type that hasn’t had the type-level constructor invoked yet – can cause problems.

Calling a static method would be more reliable. I think your reasons for not wanting a static method are a bit confused, and do not apply. There is absolutely no reason to avoid a static method. A static method is not implemented as an instance method on a “static instance that does not get garbage collected”. There is no instance for a static method.