## Why is this an issue?

When a class has only a `private` constructor, it can’t be instantiated except within the class itself. Such classes can be considered dead code and should be fixed

### Exceptions

- Classes that access their private constructors (singletons or smart enums) are ignored.
- Classes with only `static` members are also ignored because they are covered by Rule {rule:vbnet:S1118}.
- Classes that derive from SafeHandle since they can be instantiate through P/Invoke.

## How to fix it

### Code examples

#### Noncompliant code example

    Public Class [MyClass] ' Noncompliant: the class contains only private constructors
        Private Sub New()
            ' ...
        End Sub
    End Class

#### Compliant solution

    Public Class [MyClass] ' Compliant: the class contains at least one non-private constructor
        Public Sub New()
            ' ...
        End Sub
    End Class

## Resources

### Documentation

- {rule:vbnet:S1118} - Utility classes should not have public constructors
- Microsoft Learn - SafeHandle Class
- Microsoft Learn - Platform Invoke (P/Invoke)
- Microsoft Learn - Use enumeration classes instead of enum types
- Wikipedia - Dead code
- Wikipedia - Singleton pattern