In C#, why can't I test if a event handler is null anywhere outside of the class that it's defined?

Question

I am sure that I am just not understanding something fundamental about events and/or delegates in C#, but why can\'t I do the Boolean tests in this code sample:

Answer 1

Here's a slightly different question

What value is there in testing an externally defined event for null?

As an external consumer of an event you can only do 2 operations

• Add a handler
• Remove a handler

The null or non-nullness of the event has no bearing on these 2 actions. Why do you want to run a test which provides no perceivable value?