CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#generics
Emily
Emily

Reputation: 187

Using type in generic constraint

I'm studying with C# in depth book and it mentions that a form of constraint uses the type parameter in the constraint itself. So what is the difference between these two:

public void Method(AClass<T> myobject) where T : ISomething //Here I say that T has to implement ISomething

public void Method(AClass<T> myobject) where T : ISomething<T> //I don't understand this

Upvotes: 2

Views: 59

Answers (1)

Flydog57
Flydog57

Reputation: 7111

Consider that you have a non-generic interface ISomething defined. The first line constrains T to types that implement that interface.

Now consider that you have a different, generic interface ISomething<T> defined. The second line says that T is constrained to types that implement that interface, but with the further restriction that the generic parameter on the interface must the set to the type that you are specifying.

For example

interface ISomething<T> { /* methods */}

class MyClass: ISomething<MyClass> { /* methods */ }

See the relationship that MyClass has with ISomething<T>. That's what that constraint is demanding.

C++ programmers call this the Curiously Recurring Template Pattern (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curiously_recurring_template_pattern). Don't worry it tends to melt everyone's mind the first time they encounter it. And, if you don't use it for a while, it's not like riding a bike; you need to learn it all over again

Upvotes: 3

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