Access Modifiers(Can't assign integer value to variable)

Question

(Btw, had to type this on my phone)

Code:

namespace Practice;
{

class Program
{

class Base
{
public int x;
}

class Base2: Base
{
x = 5;
}
}
}

Error: Invalid token '=' in class, struct, or interface Practice member declaration.

Answer 1

You can't assign a variable like that. That's like writing this:

class ex{
int x;
x = 5; //ERROR
}
Assuming x was even declared before assigning it.

Assign the value of x in a method to fix. Perhaps a constructor would fit what you want.

Answer 2

Yes you can 'access' it anywhere.
Notice the error isn't that x wasn't defined, the error is that you cannot assign x like that outside a function, or scruct etc.. if it's already been declared.

Answer 3

That's inside a function though.

Assigning something is a statement.
All statements must be inside a block of code.
A classes block of code can have declarations, but not statements.
So you can initialize a variable outside a block of code (or only in a class) only on declaration. You cannot assign it on command anywhere. It must be in something that can have statements.

class a{
int a = 15; // 👌
int b;
b = 15; // NO

(In java)
int c;
{
c = 15; // 👌
}

}

Answer 4

Oh ok I'm starting to get it now.

Answer 5

But since the integer 'x' is public, shouldn't I be able to use it whenever?

Answer 6

I can do it here though:

static void Main(string [] args)
{
int x;
x = 2;
}

What makes it different in a class?