c# - Nested classes? Properties with properties?

Question

I would like to create a class with properties that have subproperties...

In other words, if I did something like:

Fruit apple = new Fruit();

I would want something like:

apple.eat(); //eats apple
MessageBox.Show(apple.color); //message box showing "red"
MessageBox.Show(apple.physicalProperties.height.ToString()); // message box saying 3

I would think it would be done like:

class Fruit{
    public void eat(){
        MessageBox.Show("Fruit eaten");
    }
    public string color = "red";
    public class physicalProperties{
        public int height = 3;
    }

}

...but, if that were working, I wouldn't be on here...

Answer 1

So close! Here's how your code should read:

class Fruit{
    public void eat(){
        MessageBox.Show("Fruit eaten");
    }
    public string color = "red";
    public class PhysicalProperties{
        public int height = 3;
    }
    // Add a field to hold the physicalProperties:
    public PhysicalProperties physicalProperties = new PhysicalProperties();
}

A class just defines the signature, but nested classes don't automatically become properties.

As a side note, there's also a couple things I'd recommend, to follow .NET's "best practices":

• Don't nest classes unless necessary
• All Public members should be Properties instead of Fields
• All Public members should be PascalCase, not camelCase.

I'm sure there's plenty of documentation on best practices too, if you're so inclined.

Answer 2

class Fruit{
    public void eat(){
        MessageBox.Show("Fruit eaten");
    }
    public string color = "red";
    //you have declared the class but you havent used this class
    public class physicalProperties{
        public int height = 3;

    }
    //create a property here of type PhysicalProperties
    public physicalProperties physical;
}