Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) Certification Practice Test

What type of type is String classified as in C#?

1. Reference type

2. Value type

3. Nullable type

4. Custom type

The correct answer is: Reference type

In C#, the String type is classified as a reference type. This means that a variable of type String does not hold the actual data but instead holds a reference (or pointer) to the location in memory where the string data is stored. When you create a string in C#, you are essentially creating an object that is managed by the .NET runtime's garbage collector. This classification as a reference type has implications for how strings behave, particularly when it comes to memory management and assignment. For example, when you assign one string variable to another, you are copying the reference to the string in memory, not the actual string content. Thus, modifications to one reference will not affect another if they point to separate string objects. Understanding that strings are reference types is crucial when working with objects in C#, as it informs you about the nuances of equality, performance, and memory handling that come into play throughout your coding projects.