Question

How can a static property reference a nonstatic method?

Example:

public static int UserID
{
  get
  {
     return GetUserID();
  }
}

private int GetUserID()
{
  return 1;
}

When I try to compile this, I get the error: “An object reference is required for he non-static field, method or property “GetUserID()”

Answer 1

This doesn’t work.

When you define a static property (or static method), you’re defining a property that works on the class type, not on an instance of the class.

Instance properties and methods, on the other hand, work upon a specific, constructed, instance of a class. In order to use them, you need to have a reference to that specific instance. (The other way around, however, is fine.)

As an example, think of Fruit, and an “Apple” class. Say the apple class has an instance property that is how ripe the Apple is at this point in time.

You wouldn’t as “Apple” to describe how ripe it is, but rather a specific “Apple” (instance). On the other hand, you could have an instance of an apple, and ask it whether it contains seeds (which might be defined on the Apple class itself (static)).