Originally posted by Alex Almani:
If I try using this.root the compiler thinks "this" refers to a Node, not to the AltTreeMap class. If I try type casting it like this: ((AltTreeMap)this).root the compiler tells me they are unconvertible types
This is because "this" refers to the "current object" so to speak. Inside the class Foo, "this" refers to an instance of Foo, but inside another class "Bar", "this" refers to an instace of Bar. Or in your case, inside the class Node, "this" refers to an instance of Node. Since Node and AltTreeMap are not related by an inheritence hierarchy, the cast you use will fail.
I hope this clears some confusion rather than causing more.
Good Luck and Keep Coding!
Layne