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dynamicc#-4.0metaprogramming

Monkey Patching in C#

Is it possible to extend or modify the code of a C# class at runtime?

My question specifically revolves around Monkey Patching / Duck Punching or Meta Object Programming (MOP), as it happens in scripting languages such as Groovy, Ruby etc.

Solution

  • Is it possible to extend or modify the code of a C# class at run-time?

    No it is not possible to do this in .NET. You could write derived classes and override methods (if they are virtual) but you cannot modify an existing class. Just imagine if what you were asking was possible: you could modify the behavior of some existing system classes like System.String.

    You may also take a look at Extension methods to add functionality to an existing class.