Types in the .NET Framework

All types in the .NET Framework are either value types or reference types. Value types are data types whose objects are represented by the object's actual value. If an instance of a value type is assigned to a variable, that variable is given a fresh copy of the value. Reference types are data types whose objects are represented by a reference (similar to a pointer) to the object's actual value. If a reference type is assigned to a variable, that variable references (points to) the original value. No copy is made. The common type system in the .NET Framework supports the following five categories of types: Classes Structures Enumerations Interfaces Delegates