What are shared (VB.NET)/Static(C#) variables?

Shared/Static classes are used when a class gives functionality which is not specific to any instance. In brief if you want an object to be shared between multiple instances you will use a Shared/Static  class.

The key features of Static/Shared classes are as follows:-

1) They can't be instantiated. By default the object is created on the first method call to that object.

2) The Shared/Static classes can not be inherited.

3) The Shared/Static classes can have only static members.

4) The Shared/Static classes can have only static constructor.

Public Class ClsShared

Shared intCount As Integer

Public Function AddCount() As Integer intCount = intCount + 1

Return intCount

End Function

End Class

Public Class FrmSharedClasses

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private Sub CmdInstance1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CmdInstance1.Click

Dim pobjClsShared As New ClsShared() MessageBox.Show("The count at this moment is" &

pobjClsShared.AddCount.ToString()) End Sub

Private Sub CmdInstance2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CmdInstance2.Click

Dim pobjClsShared As New ClsShared() MessageBox.Show("The count at this moment is" &

pobjClsShared.AddCount.ToString())

End Sub

End Class

Figure :-Shared/Static In Action