CLR如何处理静态类？

Question

Can anyone explain how the CLR handles Static classes? Does the CLR create one singleton instance for handling static classes internally? If not, why do we have a static constructor in C#? (Per my understanding, we use constructors only for instantiating the class)

Answer 1

First of all there is no static class in CLR. CLR doesn't know anything about static class. It is the feature of C#.

Static classes are compiled into abstract as well as sealed class. Making it abstract prevent instantiation of it and sealed prevents inheritance.

Static classes are no special, it is just a simple class with all members static.

Is, CLR internally creates one singleton instance for handling static classes?

No , it is abstract and can't be instantiated.

If not why we have an static constructor in C#?

Static constructor will be called when type is first referenced or instantiated. It is used to initialize the static members of the class.

When is a static constructor called in C#?

Answer 2

The static constructor is called when the type is first referenced. It doesn't have to be a static class to have a static constructor.

The CLR doesn't create a singleton instance of a static class. It does keep the static variables in memory though after they are initialized.