NP144 Shallow copy / Deep copy

Question

Hi Guys

http://en.csharp-online.net/Glossary:Definition_-_Deep_copy

In the Above website there is a definition for Shallow copy and Deep copy.

In this definition what is meant by instance variables and reference variables

Please explain.

Thank you

Alan · Answer

In the context of the article 'instance variables' are intended to mean instance fields which are value types and therefore contain their data directly. 'reference variables' mean instance fields which are reference types and which therefore contain a reference to where the data is stored. Instance fields are of course any fields of the type in question which are not static. The terms used in the article are poor terminology IMO and I would stick to the ones which I've used above.

Maha · Answer

Thank you for your explanation Alan.