CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#c#-4.0dynamicreflection
Bill
Bill

Reputation: 2352

Using dynamic in C# without referencing a DLL

I want to use dynamic in C# to interact with objects defined in an external API (DLL). In such a way, I don't want to reference the API in my console app. Is this doable?

For instance, I used something as:

dynamic obj1 = new ObjectDefinedInAPI();

Compiler keeps on nagging that 

The type or namespace name 'objectDefinedInAPI' could not be found ...

Any idea?

Thanks

Upvotes: 0

Views: 165

Answers (2)

Denis Brat
Denis Brat

Reputation: 497

In addition to NeutronCode answer, you can also try the following:

public interface IDynamicService {
    void DoSomething();
}

public void static main() {
    var assembly = Assembly.LoadFrom("filepath"); 
    var aClass = assembly.GetType("NameSpace.AClass");
    IDynamicService instance = Activator.CreateInstance(aClass) as IDynamicService;

    if (instance != null) {
        instance.DoSomething();
    }
}

This way you can ensure your type will have a specific implementation. Please note that the actual class must inherit the interface in order for this to work, so if you don't have access to the other dll source code, this won't help much. The upside of doing it this way is that you get Intellisense and will always be sure that your dynamic class interfaces well with your application.

Upvotes: 0

NeutronCode
NeutronCode

Reputation: 365

You can load the assembly manually and then create a instance of a class given that you know the assembly name and class name.

var assembly = Assembly.LoadFrom("filepath"); 
var aClass = assembly.GetType("NameSpace.AClass");
dynamic instance = Activator.CreateInstance(aClass);

Upvotes: 3

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