Passing Type variable as Generic Type Parameter to Static Class

Question

I have the following static class

public static class MyFoo<T> where T : class
{
    public static IBar<T> Begin()
    {
        return new Bar<T>();
    }
}

Elsewhere, I have a variable of System.Type, which I need to pass in as the Generic Type argument, ideally:

public void MyFunction(Type type)
{
     MyFoo<type>.Begin();
}

I know its possible through reflection to return an instance of MyFoo (If i make it non static) but this would not be ideal. Is there anyway to pass type as a Generic Type argument to the MyFoo static class?

First of all if you make it non-static you don't need reflection, you can enforce a parameterless constructor with a generic constraint on T. Second, what problem are you trying to solve here? Why isn't T a parameter of MyFunction (it can be inferred for you) — Benjamin Gruenbaum
– Benjamin Gruenbaum, Commented Oct 21, 2013 at 22:31
Thanks for getting back to me. @BenjaminGruenbaum unfortunately I can't divulge too much but it would of been in my best interests if this was possible, to save myself a lot of time form something i've inherited. I shall un-static the situation! Thanks. — Riddick
– Riddick, Commented Oct 22, 2013 at 6:58

Joel Coehoorn · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-21 22:31:06Z

4

Can't do it. The value of the type variable in the second sample is only known at run time. The T type parameter in the first sample must be resolved at compile time.

Instead, look into Activator.CreateInstance().

answered Oct 21, 2013 at 22:31

Joel Coehoorn

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1 Comment

Riddick Over a year ago

Thanks for getting back to me, I'll craft a workaround from a non static version :)

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