C# Const field in abstract class

Question

I'm having trouble declaring a const field in an abstract class. Why is this?

edit

I should have clarified. My problem is that my child classes can't see the const field:

protected const string Prefix = "dynfrm_";

If I remove the const keyword, I can get to it from a grandchild class.

Answer 1

As long as you initialize it in the declaration, there shouldn't be an issue. What is the error message you are receiving?

Answer 2

public abstract class Class1
{
    protected const string Prefix = "dynfrm_";
}

public class Class2 : Class1
{
    public void GetConst()
    {
        Console.WriteLine(Prefix);
    }
}

Answer 3

Here you go...

abstract class MyBase
{
    protected const int X = 10;
}
class Derived : MyBase
{
    Derived()
    {
        Console.WriteLine(MyBase.X);
    }
}

Answer 4

Seems to work fine:

public abstract class Class1
{
    protected const int Field1 = 1;
}

public class Class2 : Class1
{
    public int M1()
    {
        return Field1;
    }
}

I'm using Visual Studio 2008 SP1, and I see the protected const in IntelliSense from a descendant and it compiles as expected.

Answer 5

Did you make your constant at least protected? if it's private it won't be accessible by child classes just as it wouldn't if it wasn't an abstract class.

Edit: I see you posted an example - and did specify it as protected, which works for me. Got a description of what happens? Doesn't compile? run time error?