The Common Type System (CTS) in .NET Core is a standard that specifies how type definitions and specific values of types are represented in computer memory. It is a fundamental component of the .NET Framework's runtime engine, known as the Common Language Runtime (CLR). CTS enables cross-language integration, type safety, and high-performance code execution by defining a set of common data types and rules for how these types are declared, used, and managed at runtime.
Key Functions of CTS:
- Cross-Language Integration: CTS allows programs written in different programming languages to interact seamlessly. For example, a variable declared as
int
in C# and Integer
in VB.NET both map to the same Int32
type in CTS, ensuring compatibility and interoperability between languages[1][2][4][5].
- Type Safety: CTS enforces strict type safety, ensuring that data types are used correctly and consistently across different languages. This helps prevent type errors and enhances the reliability of the code[1][2][4][6].
- High-Performance Code Execution: By providing a common set of data types and rules, CTS enables the CLR to optimize code execution, leading to better performance[1][2][4][5].
Components of CTS:
- Value Types and Reference Types: CTS defines both value types (e.g.,
Int32
, Boolean
) and reference types (e.g., String
, Object
). Value types are stored directly in memory, while reference types store a reference to the actual data[1][2][3][5].
- Object-Oriented Model: CTS supports an object-oriented programming model, allowing for the implementation of classes, structures, enumerations, interfaces, and delegates. This model facilitates the creation of complex data structures ...