Will GetType() return the most derived type when called from the base class?

Question

Example:

public abstract class A
{
    private Type GetInfo()
    {
         return System.Attribute.GetCustomAttributes(this.GetType());
    }
}

public class B : A
{
   //Fields here have some custom attributes added to them
}

Or should I just make an abstract method that the derived classes will have to implement like the following?

public abstract class A
{
    protected abstract Type GetSubType();

    private Type GetInfo()
    {
         return System.Attribute.GetCustomAttributes(GetSubType());
    }
}

public class B : A
{
   //Fields here have some custom attributes added to them

   protected Type GetSubType()
   {
       return GetType();
   }
}

@BrokenGlass normally I would just do that but I am not at a computer ... just used my phone to make the post because a solution for a problem was starting to form and I was curious to know now! =P — Matthew Cox
Related: “this” keyword type when called on an object of derived class from base class — Marc.2377

Reed Copsey Reed Copsey · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-25T16:40:56

GetType() will return the actual, instantiated type. In your case, if you call GetType() on an instance of B, it will return typeof(B), even if the variable in question is declared as a reference to an A.

There is no reason for your GetSubType() method.

Will GetType() return the most derived type when called from the base class?

3 Answers