C# Namespace, Folders, Compiler Error

Question

I'm using VS 2017 v15.5.0.

I have a minimal Console project named, Con_02. The namespace for the main class in this project is simply Con_02 (the class is shown below).

Within this project I add a new folder named, Business. Within the Business folder I create a class named, Employee. The default namespace generated by VS for the Employee class is Con_02.Business. I simplify this namespace to Business.

Back in my main class I instantiate Employee. Here is my full main class:

namespace Con_02 {
    class Program {
        Business.Employee e1 = new Business.Employee();

        private static void Main() { }
    }
}

So far, so good. Everything compiles.

Now, I create another class, Company, in the Business folder. VS generates a namespace, Con_02.Business.

Now, the main Con_02.Program class no longer compiles. Specifically, the creation of the Business.Employee object which had previously compiled just fine, gives me a compiler error:

The type or namespace name 'Employee' does not exist in the namespace 'Con_02.Business' (are you missing an assembly reference?)

I'm not asking how to fix the problem so much as I'm trying to understand why compiler seems to assume a namespace relative to Con_02.

And that's why you don't want duplicate namespace names. Try global::Business.Employee — juharr
– juharr, Commented Dec 6, 2017 at 20:26
Either add using Business or global:: as suggested above. But better just don't use such namespaces. — Evk
– Evk, Commented Dec 6, 2017 at 20:30

Daniel B · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-06 20:58:28Z

1

Since you are creating a new namespace called Con_02.Business which contains Company class the Business.Employee is considered to be under Con_02.Business namespace but Con_02.Business contains nothing but Company class.

Better to change

namespace Con_02.Business
{
    class Company
    {
    }
}

to

namespace Business
{
    class Company
    {
    }
}

or just use Employee e1 = new Employee();

Remember namespace is only about grouping the classes.

edited Dec 6, 2017 at 20:58

answered Dec 6, 2017 at 20:40

Daniel B

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2 Comments

Tom Baxter Over a year ago

Yea, I know what's happening and how to "fix" it but it seems odd that the compiler assumes Employee must be in the same namespace as Company. I don't like it.

Daniel B Over a year ago

So just use Employee e1 = new Employee(); then

torsan · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-06 20:38:36Z

0

Add

using Business;

at the top of you Program class.

and remove The Business-part from your Employee instantiation.

OR. Use the same namespace for all you classes.

answered Dec 6, 2017 at 20:38

torsan

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