Using user input to change a property

Question

I have a simple class with 2 properties:

    class Circle {
protected int x = 0 {get; set;}
protected int y = 0 {get; set;} 
}

I have another class where the user can write which property he wants to change.

string selectProperty = Input.ReadString("Write which property to you want to change");

In the same class I have a circle object, and I just want to change the value of a property according to his selection, to 5.

circle.selectProperty = 5;

This is just small example, I want to know the main idea, so 2 small "if"s won't help...
Thank you!

Try something like this: circle.GetType().GetProperty(selectProperty).SetValue(circle, 5) — Fabjan
– Fabjan, Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 11:12
@AmitKumarGhosh I'm trying to change a specific property that the user chose. Like an edit page. — user7399016
– user7399016, Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 11:20
@user7399016 One possible reason is that property's access modifier is protected, you can change it to public or use Bindingflags overload in GetProperty method. — Fabjan
– Fabjan, Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 11:22

Thomas · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-10 11:12:42Z

2

I think you want to use reflection.

Circle circle = new Circle();
string selectProperty = Input.ReadString("Write which property to you want to change");
string selectedValue = Input.ReadString("Write which value should be written");
PropertyInfo propertyInfo = circle.GetType().GetProperty(selectedProperty);
propertyInfo.SetValue(circle, Convert.ChangeType(selectedValue, propertyInfo.PropertyType), null);

That should give you an idea.

answered Jan 10, 2017 at 11:12

Thomas

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2 Comments

user7399016 Over a year ago

What's that PropertyInfo thing?

Thomas Over a year ago

A class of the Reflection namespace which provides functionality to dynamically access properties of classes (in your case you are accessing properties by their name). Have a look at a .NET reflection tutorial. Basically you are able to access compiled objects at runtime which gives you great possibilities.

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