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Enum and generics

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  • L leppie

    N a v a n e e t h wrote:

    How can I set such kind of restriction ?

    You cant. Best will be to have where EnumType : struct and have a check inside the method.

    xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
    IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

    N Offline
    N Offline
    N a v a n e e t h
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    Yeah, I guessed it. Thanks leppie. Do you think there is any better method to take the attribute value other than what I did ?

    All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

    1 Reply Last reply
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    • X xibeifeijian

      Maybe you should check it by yourself. Just like this: public static string GetDescription(EnumType enumType) { string description = string.Empty; Type type = enumType.GetType(); Type typParent=type.BaseType; bool blIsEnum=false; while(typParent!=null) { if(typParent==typeof(System.Enum)) { blIsEnum=true; break; } typParent=typParent.BaseType; } if(blIsEnum==false) { throw new Exception("Haha,game over!^_^"); } ......

      :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^) :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^)

      N Offline
      N Offline
      N a v a n e e t h
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      Thanks.

      xibeifeijian wrote:

      Type type = enumType.GetType(); Type typParent=type.BaseType; bool blIsEnum=false; while(typParent!=null)

      Why not make it simple like

      if (enumType.GetType() != typeof(System.Enum))
      throw new InvalidOperationException("An enum is expected");

      or am I missing something ?

      All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

      X L 2 Replies Last reply
      0
      • N N a v a n e e t h

        Thanks.

        xibeifeijian wrote:

        Type type = enumType.GetType(); Type typParent=type.BaseType; bool blIsEnum=false; while(typParent!=null)

        Why not make it simple like

        if (enumType.GetType() != typeof(System.Enum))
        throw new InvalidOperationException("An enum is expected");

        or am I missing something ?

        All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

        X Offline
        X Offline
        xibeifeijian
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        Ha,Sorry,my error. As the enum type cann't inherit,so you can judge it in this way: if (enumType.GetType().BaseType != typeof(System.Enum)) You must use basetype to judge them,because the son type won't equals the parent type.System.Enum is a root type for all the enum types.

        :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^) :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^)

        N 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • N N a v a n e e t h

          Thanks.

          xibeifeijian wrote:

          Type type = enumType.GetType(); Type typParent=type.BaseType; bool blIsEnum=false; while(typParent!=null)

          Why not make it simple like

          if (enumType.GetType() != typeof(System.Enum))
          throw new InvalidOperationException("An enum is expected");

          or am I missing something ?

          All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

          L Offline
          L Offline
          leppie
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          How about: enumType is Enum ... :doh: You guys certainly like to do things the hard way! ;P

          xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
          IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

          N 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • X xibeifeijian

            Ha,Sorry,my error. As the enum type cann't inherit,so you can judge it in this way: if (enumType.GetType().BaseType != typeof(System.Enum)) You must use basetype to judge them,because the son type won't equals the parent type.System.Enum is a root type for all the enum types.

            :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^) :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^)

            N Offline
            N Offline
            N a v a n e e t h
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            Ya.. BaseType is required. Thanks :)

            All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • L leppie

              How about: enumType is Enum ... :doh: You guys certainly like to do things the hard way! ;P

              xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
              IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

              N Offline
              N Offline
              N a v a n e e t h
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              leppie wrote:

              enumType is Enum

              Looks simple, but I cannot make it working. AFAIK, BaseType checking is required. When you use is, it throws exception for enum types too.

              All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

              L 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • N N a v a n e e t h

                leppie wrote:

                enumType is Enum

                Looks simple, but I cannot make it working. AFAIK, BaseType checking is required. When you use is, it throws exception for enum types too.

                All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                L Offline
                L Offline
                leppie
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                N a v a n e e t h wrote:

                Looks simple, but I cannot make it working. AFAIK, BaseType checking is required. When you use is, it throws exception for enum types too.

                Then you are doing something wrong! The following prints 'Friday':

                object f = DayOfWeek.Friday;

                if (f is Enum)
                {
                Console.WriteLine(f);
                }
                else
                {
                Console.WriteLine("Not enum");
                }

                xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
                IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • N N a v a n e e t h

                  I have a generic method which looks for a specific attribute and returns value of "Text" property. My attribute is named "DetailsAttribute". Here is my generic method

                  public static string GetDescription<EnumType>(EnumType enumType) {

                  string description = string.Empty;
                  
                  Type type = enumType.GetType();
                  if (type != null) {
                     // Getting filed info
                      FieldInfo info = type.GetField(enumType.ToString());
                      if (info != null) {
                          // getting the attributes
                            DetailsAttribute\[\] attributes = info.GetCustomAttributes(typeof(DetailsAttribute), false)  as DetailsAttribute\[\];
                            if (attributes != null && attributes.Length > 0)
                                description = attributes\[0\].Text;
                      }
                  }
                  return description;
                  

                  }

                  This works fine. But I am looking for applying a constraint to the generic parameter "enumType" which should allow only enum types. I am not able to write something like

                  public static string GetDescription<EnumType>(EnumType enumType) : where enumType : enum // error

                  How can I set such kind of restriction ? Also is there any better method than what I provided to retrieve attribute values from fields ? any help would be appreciated.

                  All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                  P Offline
                  P Offline
                  PIEBALDconsult
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  Does no one read my articles? :~ I use:

                  System.Type basetype = typeof(T) ;

                  if ( !basetype.IsEnum )
                  {
                  throw ( new System.ArgumentException ( "T must be an Enum" ) ) ;
                  }

                  I suspect that all that checking for null in your example is needless. And please read this[^].

                  X N S 3 Replies Last reply
                  0
                  • P PIEBALDconsult

                    Does no one read my articles? :~ I use:

                    System.Type basetype = typeof(T) ;

                    if ( !basetype.IsEnum )
                    {
                    throw ( new System.ArgumentException ( "T must be an Enum" ) ) ;
                    }

                    I suspect that all that checking for null in your example is needless. And please read this[^].

                    X Offline
                    X Offline
                    xibeifeijian
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    Haha ,this is the best way ! :)

                    :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^) :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):rose::^):^):^):^)¦?????¦ :^):rose::rose::rose::rose::rose:¦¦?¦?¦¦ :^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^):^)

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • P PIEBALDconsult

                      Does no one read my articles? :~ I use:

                      System.Type basetype = typeof(T) ;

                      if ( !basetype.IsEnum )
                      {
                      throw ( new System.ArgumentException ( "T must be an Enum" ) ) ;
                      }

                      I suspect that all that checking for null in your example is needless. And please read this[^].

                      N Offline
                      N Offline
                      N a v a n e e t h
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                      Does no one read my articles?

                      Sorry, I just missed it.

                      PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                      I suspect that all that checking for null in your example is needless.

                      I am not getting you fully. Are you saying that the methods I used to get "FieldInfo", attributes will never return NULL ?

                      All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                      P 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • N N a v a n e e t h

                        I have a generic method which looks for a specific attribute and returns value of "Text" property. My attribute is named "DetailsAttribute". Here is my generic method

                        public static string GetDescription<EnumType>(EnumType enumType) {

                        string description = string.Empty;
                        
                        Type type = enumType.GetType();
                        if (type != null) {
                           // Getting filed info
                            FieldInfo info = type.GetField(enumType.ToString());
                            if (info != null) {
                                // getting the attributes
                                  DetailsAttribute\[\] attributes = info.GetCustomAttributes(typeof(DetailsAttribute), false)  as DetailsAttribute\[\];
                                  if (attributes != null && attributes.Length > 0)
                                      description = attributes\[0\].Text;
                            }
                        }
                        return description;
                        

                        }

                        This works fine. But I am looking for applying a constraint to the generic parameter "enumType" which should allow only enum types. I am not able to write something like

                        public static string GetDescription<EnumType>(EnumType enumType) : where enumType : enum // error

                        How can I set such kind of restriction ? Also is there any better method than what I provided to retrieve attribute values from fields ? any help would be appreciated.

                        All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        Scott Dorman
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        You can't apply a generic constraint on an enum type. The best you can get is struct. Also, take a look at this article[^] for a way to work with enums and a description attribute.

                        Scott Dorman

                        Microsoft® MVP - Visual C# | MCPD President - Tampa Bay IASA [Blog][Articles][Forum Guidelines]


                        Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are. - Buckaroo Banzai

                        N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • P PIEBALDconsult

                          Does no one read my articles? :~ I use:

                          System.Type basetype = typeof(T) ;

                          if ( !basetype.IsEnum )
                          {
                          throw ( new System.ArgumentException ( "T must be an Enum" ) ) ;
                          }

                          I suspect that all that checking for null in your example is needless. And please read this[^].

                          S Offline
                          S Offline
                          Scott Dorman
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                          Does no one read my articles?

                          Hmmm...I missed that one somehow. Interesting approach to things. Did you see my article[^]? I have a similar GetDescription method.

                          Scott Dorman

                          Microsoft® MVP - Visual C# | MCPD President - Tampa Bay IASA [Blog][Articles][Forum Guidelines]


                          Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are. - Buckaroo Banzai

                          P 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • N N a v a n e e t h

                            PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                            Does no one read my articles?

                            Sorry, I just missed it.

                            PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                            I suspect that all that checking for null in your example is needless.

                            I am not getting you fully. Are you saying that the methods I used to get "FieldInfo", attributes will never return NULL ?

                            All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                            P Offline
                            P Offline
                            PIEBALDconsult
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            Correct. GetType() won't and GetCustomAttributes won't, GetField won't because you're passing in a known field name (in this case).

                            modified on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 12:41 AM

                            N 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • S Scott Dorman

                              PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                              Does no one read my articles?

                              Hmmm...I missed that one somehow. Interesting approach to things. Did you see my article[^]? I have a similar GetDescription method.

                              Scott Dorman

                              Microsoft® MVP - Visual C# | MCPD President - Tampa Bay IASA [Blog][Articles][Forum Guidelines]


                              Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are. - Buckaroo Banzai

                              P Offline
                              P Offline
                              PIEBALDconsult
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              I probably did, I definitely remember the picture of someone blocking the Green Monster.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • N N a v a n e e t h

                                I have a generic method which looks for a specific attribute and returns value of "Text" property. My attribute is named "DetailsAttribute". Here is my generic method

                                public static string GetDescription<EnumType>(EnumType enumType) {

                                string description = string.Empty;
                                
                                Type type = enumType.GetType();
                                if (type != null) {
                                   // Getting filed info
                                    FieldInfo info = type.GetField(enumType.ToString());
                                    if (info != null) {
                                        // getting the attributes
                                          DetailsAttribute\[\] attributes = info.GetCustomAttributes(typeof(DetailsAttribute), false)  as DetailsAttribute\[\];
                                          if (attributes != null && attributes.Length > 0)
                                              description = attributes\[0\].Text;
                                    }
                                }
                                return description;
                                

                                }

                                This works fine. But I am looking for applying a constraint to the generic parameter "enumType" which should allow only enum types. I am not able to write something like

                                public static string GetDescription<EnumType>(EnumType enumType) : where enumType : enum // error

                                How can I set such kind of restriction ? Also is there any better method than what I provided to retrieve attribute values from fields ? any help would be appreciated.

                                All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                                P Offline
                                P Offline
                                PIEBALDconsult
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                Oh, and... a few months ago I asked about it on MSDN and Jon Skeet said he'd ask whether or not an enum constraint might be in the future, he later reported... "maybe". I suspect there are a lot more important things concerning them. I think maybe we should start a letter campaign.

                                N 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • P PIEBALDconsult

                                  Correct. GetType() won't and GetCustomAttributes won't, GetField won't because you're passing in a known field name (in this case).

                                  modified on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 12:41 AM

                                  N Offline
                                  N Offline
                                  N a v a n e e t h
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  Thanks. I will remove the NULL checking. Thanks

                                  All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • S Scott Dorman

                                    You can't apply a generic constraint on an enum type. The best you can get is struct. Also, take a look at this article[^] for a way to work with enums and a description attribute.

                                    Scott Dorman

                                    Microsoft® MVP - Visual C# | MCPD President - Tampa Bay IASA [Blog][Articles][Forum Guidelines]


                                    Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are. - Buckaroo Banzai

                                    N Offline
                                    N Offline
                                    N a v a n e e t h
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #20

                                    Scott, Thanks. I figured it out. Great article though

                                    All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                                    S 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • P PIEBALDconsult

                                      Oh, and... a few months ago I asked about it on MSDN and Jon Skeet said he'd ask whether or not an enum constraint might be in the future, he later reported... "maybe". I suspect there are a lot more important things concerning them. I think maybe we should start a letter campaign.

                                      N Offline
                                      N Offline
                                      N a v a n e e t h
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #21

                                      PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                      I asked about it on MSDN and Jon Skeet said he'd ask whether or not an enum constraint might be in the future,

                                      Ohh, so what could replace enums ? Jon Skeet - I love that guy. He got indepth knowledge on the subject and very helping too. He has a book out "C# in Depth". I got a copy, it's worth reading.

                                      All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                                      P 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • N N a v a n e e t h

                                        Scott, Thanks. I figured it out. Great article though

                                        All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                                        S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        Scott Dorman
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #22

                                        N a v a n e e t h wrote:

                                        Thanks. I figured it out. Great article though

                                        You're welcome. Glad you liked the article.

                                        Scott Dorman

                                        Microsoft® MVP - Visual C# | MCPD President - Tampa Bay IASA [Blog][Articles][Forum Guidelines]


                                        Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are. - Buckaroo Banzai

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • N N a v a n e e t h

                                          PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                          I asked about it on MSDN and Jon Skeet said he'd ask whether or not an enum constraint might be in the future,

                                          Ohh, so what could replace enums ? Jon Skeet - I love that guy. He got indepth knowledge on the subject and very helping too. He has a book out "C# in Depth". I got a copy, it's worth reading.

                                          All C# applications should call Application.Quit(); in the beginning to avoid any .NET problems.- Unclyclopedia How to use google | Ask smart questions

                                          P Offline
                                          P Offline
                                          PIEBALDconsult
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #23

                                          I meant it's possible that a future C# compiler will allow where T : enum I'm not holding my breath, but apparently the team who can make it happen know there's some demand for it.

                                          N 1 Reply Last reply
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