How do I extend a class with c# extension methods? [duplicate]

Question

Can extension methods be applied to the class?

For example, extend DateTime to include a Tomorrow() method that could be invoked like:

DateTime.Tomorrow(); 

I know I can use

static DateTime Tomorrow(this Datetime value) { //... } 

Or

public static MyClass {   public static Tomorrow() { //... } } 

for a similar result, but how can I extend DateTime so that I could invoke DateTime.Tomorrow?

Answer 1

Use an extension method.

Ex:

namespace ExtensionMethods {     public static class MyExtensionMethods     {         public static DateTime Tomorrow(this DateTime date)         {             return date.AddDays(1);         }         } } 

Usage:

DateTime.Now.Tomorrow(); 

or

AnyObjectOfTypeDateTime.Tomorrow(); 

Answer 2

You cannot add methods to an existing type unless the existing type is marked as partial, you can only add methods that appear to be a member of the existing type through extension methods. Since this is the case you cannot add static methods to the type itself since extension methods use instances of that type.

There is nothing stopping you from creating your own static helper method like this:

static class DateTimeHelper {     public static DateTime Tomorrow     {         get { return DateTime.Now.AddDays(1); }     } } 

Which you would use like this:

DateTime tomorrow = DateTimeHelper.Tomorrow;