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Enum and generics

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  • 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

    L Offline
    L Offline
    leppie
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    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 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

      X Offline
      X Offline
      xibeifeijian
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      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 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • 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
        0
        • 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
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