How to hide an inherited property in a class without modifying the inherited class (base class)?

Question

If i have the following code example:

public class ClassBase
{
    public int ID { get; set; }

    public string Name { get; set; }
}

public class ClassA :         


        

Answer 1

I think it is bad design if you have to do this, especially if you are able to design the code from the ground up.

Why?

Good design is to let the base-class share common properties that a certain concept has (virtual or real). Example: System.IO.Stream in C#.

Further down the lane bad design will increase the cost for maintenance and make implementation harder and harder. Avoid this as much as possible!

Basic rules which I use:

• Minimize the number of properties and methods in the base-class. If you do not expect to use some properties or methods in a class that inherits the base class; do not put it in the baseclass then. If you are in the developmentstage of a project; always go back to the drawing-board now an then to check the design because things change! Redesign when needed. When your project is live the costs for changing things later in the design will go up!

  • If you are using a baseclass implemented by a 3:rd party, consider "go up" one level instead of "overriding" with "NotImplementedException" or such. If there is no other level, consider design the code from scratch.

  • Always consider to seal classes you do not want anyone to be able to inherit it. It forces coders to "go up one level" in the "inheritance- hierarchy" and thus "loose ends" like "NotImplementedException" can be avoided.