CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#debuggingvisual-studio-2012
Bob Horn
Bob Horn

Reputation: 34297

When debugging, is there a way to tell if an object is a different instance?

When debugging, I was expecting two different classes to be using the same instance of an object. All of the properties were the same for these two objects, but they were two different instances. Is there a way to tell that in the VS debugger?

In order to tell for sure, I was able to add a field to the class:

private string someId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString();

Then, when debugging, I could at least look at that field for each of the two instances. Is there a better way that wouldn't involve having to create this dummy ID field?

Upvotes: 29

Views: 12261

Answers (3)

Огњен Шобајић
Огњен Шобајић

Reputation: 1484

In addition to the answers above, you can also compare pointers. If you have two objects obj1 and obj2, you can check (e.g. in Watch Window) their addresses with: &obj1 and &obj2.

Note that objects may be moved around by the .NET runtime, so two address checks of the same object separated with some code execution in between may result in different addresses.

Upvotes: 2

Wolfgang
Wolfgang

Reputation: 3490

When debugging, in the Locals window, right-click on the instance and select "Make Object ID".

This will add number that is unique for this instance which is displayed whenever you see this instance in the debugger (in tool-tips as well as in the watch window).

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Upvotes: 56

A G
A G

Reputation: 22569

Object.Equals Method (Object, Object)

Edit: To check reference equality use ReferenceEquals

Edit 2: While Debugging, Go to debug menu, windows --> immediate window (intellisense should work here) and ?Object.ReferenceEquals(obj1, obj2)

Upvotes: 5

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