C# : how do you obtain a class' base class?

Question

In C#, how does one obtain a reference to the base class of a given class?

For example, suppose you have a certain class, MyClass, and you want to obtain a reference to MyClass' superclass.

I have in mind something like this:

Type  superClass = MyClass.GetBase() ;
// then, do something with superClass

However, it appears there is no suitable GetBase method.

Answer 1

Use Reflection from the Type of the current class.

 Type superClass = myClass.GetType().BaseType;

Answer 2

Type superClass = typeof(MyClass).BaseType;

Additionally, if you don't know the type of your current object, you can get the type using GetType and then get the BaseType of that type:

Type baseClass = myObject.GetType().BaseType;

documentation

Answer 3

This will get the base type (if it exists) and create an instance of it:

Type baseType = typeof(MyClass).BaseType;
object o = null;
if(baseType != null) {
    o = Activator.CreateInstance(baseType);
}

Alternatively, if you don't know the type at compile time use the following:

object myObject;
Type baseType = myObject.GetType().BaseType;
object o = null;
if(baseType != null) {
    o = Activator.CreateInstance(baseType);
}

See Type.BaseType and Activator.CreateInstance on MSDN.

Answer 4

if you want to check if a class is subclass of another you can use is.

if (variable is superclass){ //do stuff }

Docs: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/scekt9xw.aspx

Answer 5

The Type.BaseType property is what you're looking for.

Type  superClass = typeof(MyClass).BaseType;

Answer 6

obj.base will get you a reference to the parent object from an instance of the derived object obj.

typeof(obj).BaseType will get you a reference to the parent object's type from an instance of the derived object obj.

Answer 7

you can just use base.