CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#c#-4.0
Fergal
Fergal

Reputation: 2474

C# how to write a generic method

I have a few Types which all have the same "meta data" properties. I want to have a method where I can pass an object, of any Type, as an argument to update its meta data.

I can use a dynamic argument in the method, something like this:

private void UpdateMeta(dynamic obj)
{
    obj.meta1 = DateTime.Now;
    obj.meta2 = "acb";
    obj.meta3 = 123;
    obj.meta4 = "foo";
}

Type1 objtype1 = new Type1();
Type2 objtype2 = new Type2();
Type3 objtype3 = new Type3();

UpdateMeta(objtype1);
UpdateMeta(objtype2);
UpdateMeta(objtype3);

But what about type safe generics, what is the exact syntax? Here is what I have so far:

private void UpdateMeta<T>(ref T obj)
{
    obj.meta1 = DateTime.Now;
    obj.meta2 = "acb";
    obj.meta3 = 123;
    obj.meta4 = "foo";
}

Type1 objtype1 = new Type1();
Type2 objtype2 = new Type2();
Type3 objtype3 = new Type3();

UpdateMeta<Type1>(objtype1);
UpdateMeta<Type2>(objtype2);
UpdateMeta<Type3>(objtype3);

I've looked up examples and documentation but it's mostly about generic classes. I can't seem to get the syntax right

Upvotes: 1

Views: 260

Answers (1)

Selman Gen&#231;
Selman Gen&#231;

Reputation: 101681

You need a common base class or interface.then just add a constraint to your generic method:

public interface ICommonInterface
{
   // declare your properties here
   // and don't forget to implement this interface in your classes
}

private void UpdateMeta<T>(T obj)
       where T : ICommonInterface
{
    obj.meta1 = DateTime.Now;
    obj.meta2 = "acb";
    obj.meta3 = 123;
    obj.meta4 = "foo";
}

As mentioned in the comments, you don't even need to use generics in this case because you are only updating values of some properties.You can just have a method that takes a parameter of type common interface.You can do that changing dynamic with a common interface or base class in your first code snippet and you gain the type-safety.

Upvotes: 4

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