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Enum and generics

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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
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      • 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
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          • 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 Online
                P Online
                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 Online
                          P Online
                          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 Online
                            P Online
                            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 Online
                              P Online
                              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 Online
                                        P Online
                                        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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                                        • P PIEBALDconsult

                                          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 Offline
                                          N Offline
                                          N a v a n e e t h
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #24

                                          PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                          I meant it's possible that a future C# compiler will allow where T : enum

                                          I misunderstood you, now it's clear.

                                          PIEBALDconsult wrote:

                                          know there's some demand for it.

                                          Yeah. Let's hope it would come in the future versions.

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

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