using class libraries

Question

I have created a class library project and made a class and it has built and made the dll.

I have added the reference to this dll to a different project and added the using directive.

I can use 'new' and instanciate a class from the dll. I have even used an array of this class. All is fine when I use the data on one form.

Here is the problem. I am loading data from a file into the class in the dll - and i need it to be available from all forms in may app - how do i make it possible to see my instanciation of the class across different forms. It is currently declared (using new) on the main form of the project.

I have tried instanciating the class in a static class but that is wrong.

Vulpes · Answer

It's best to expose global data via a static class: internal static class Globals { internal static string[] Data; } To initialize the data: Globals.Data = ......; // obtain data from class in dll and to access it from any form; string[] data = Globals.Data;

Richard Brennan · Answer

thanx dude got threre - i have instanciated the array - filled it in from one form and read it from a different form. U the man. cheers.

Vulpes · Answer

Sorry Richard I'd missed out the word 'static' between 'internal' and Person[] in my previous post. I've corrected it now.

Richard Brennan · Answer

sorry vulpes - i just can make it work This line in static class internal Person[] people; causes this error Error 1 'global.people': cannot declare instance members in a static class. Do u want to c my code?

Vulpes · Answer

Well a static class can only contain static members which is an advantage for global data because you don't need to create an instance to reference it - you just prefix the field or property with the class name. So following the blueprint in my previous post: internal static class Globals { internal static Person[] person; } To initialize the data: Globals.person = ......; // obtain data from class in dll - can do this from anywhere and to access it from any form; Person[] _person = Globals.person;

Richard Brennan · Answer

The following code generated this error. Error 1 'global.person': cannot declare instance members in a static class C:\Users\Richard\documents\visual studio 2010\Projects\Web Spinner\Web Spinner\Global.cs 9 21 Web Spinner public { static class global public Person [] person; } Person is the dll class and I need an array of them available for many forms to acces - how can I get that working in a static class