"MyBase" and "MyClass" Usage in VB.NET

Question

In what scenarios would one use the MyBase and MyClass keywords in VB.NET?

Answer 1

MyBase is used when a virtual function needs to call its parent’s version. For example, consider:

Class Button
    Public Overridable Sub Paint()
        ' Paint button here. '
    End Sub
End Class

Class ButtonWithFancyBanner
    Inherits Button

    Public Overrides Sub Paint()
        ' First, paint the button. '
        MyBase.Paint()
        ' Now, paint the banner. … '
    End Sub
End Class

(This is the same as base in C#.)

---

MyClass is rarely used at all. It calls the own class’s method, even if it would usually call the derived class’s virtual method. In other words, it disbands the virtual method dispatching and instead makes a static call.

This is a contrived example. I’m hard-pressed to find a real-world usage now (although that certainly exists):

Class Base
    Public Overridable Sub PrintName()
        Console.WriteLine("I’m Base")
    End Sub

    Public Sub ReallyPrintMyName()
        MyClass.PrintName()
    End Sub
End Class

Class Derived
    Inherits Base
    Public Overrides Sub PrintName()
        Console.WriteLine("I’m Derived")
    End Sub
End Class

' … Usage: '

Dim b As Base = New Derived()
b.PrintName()         ' Prints "I’m Derived" '
b.ReallyPrintMyName() ' Prints "I’m Base" '

(This doesn’t exist in C#. In IL, this issues a call instead of the usual callvirt opcode.)