C# static member “inheritance” - why does this exist at all?

Question

In C#, a superclass\'s static members are \"inherited\" into the subclasses scope. For instance:

class A { public static int M() { return 1; } }
class B : A         


        

Answer 1

Actually, as I understand it, this is just a shortcut provided by the compiler. Syntax sugar. B.M() will just compile to A.M() since B does not have a static M() and A does. It's for easier writing, nothing else. There is no "static inheritance".

Added: And the requirement for new when "redefining" is just so that you don't accidentally shoot yourself in the foot.