This Keyword in C#

Hello Sumit,

At any point of time, there are multiple instances held in memory when an application is in execution. These instances (objects) can be of one particular class or different classes collaborating to perform a task.

Now, a "current instance" refers to that particular (one) instance, out of all those present in memory, which is currently executing its method or doing something.

For example, assume you have an application like the below one:

public class Program
{
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
var bootstrapper = new Bootstrapper();
bootstrapper.StartApp();
}
}
public class Bootstrapper
{
public void StartApp()
{
var configManager = new COnfigurationManager();
configManager.InitializeConfigurations();
// do some stuff and start app
}
}

At line 5, we create an instance of Bootstrapper class as bootstrapper and ask it start the app. Now, inside the StartApp() method, the current instance would be the bootstrapper instance which is in execution at this point of time.

However, when the method InitializeConfiguration (at line 15) is executing the current instance, would be configManager. And once the control returns at line 16, the current instance is again bootstrapper.

I hope this answers your question.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or if I've confused you. ;)

Thank you!

2 Replies

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Gaurav Gahlot8y ago
Accepted answer
Hello Sumit,

At any point of time, there are multiple instances held in memory when an application is in execution. These instances (objects) can be of one particular class or different classes collaborating to perform a task.

Now, a "current instance" refers to that particular (one) instance, out of all those present in memory, which is currently executing its method or doing something.
For example, assume you have an application like the below one:
public class Program
{
    public static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        var bootstrapper = new Bootstrapper();
        bootstrapper.StartApp();
    }
}

public class Bootstrapper
{
    public void StartApp()
    {
        var configManager = new COnfigurationManager();
        configManager.InitializeConfigurations();

        // do some stuff and start app
    }
}
At line 5, we create an instance of Bootstrapper class as bootstrapper and ask it start the app. Now, inside the StartApp() method, the current instance would be the bootstrapper instance which is in execution at this point of time.

However, when the method InitializeConfiguration (at line 15) is executing the current instance, would be configManager. And once the control returns at line 16, the current instance is again bootstrapper.

I hope this answers your question.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or if I've confused you. ;)

Thank you!
Sumit Kushwaha8y ago
Hi Gaurav,

I got the concept from your answer.
Thanks for explaining and for removing the confusion.
May seek your help in future also.

Regards
Sumit Kushwaha