c# Generics. <T>, programmatically assigning T from reading a string value?

c#, generics, instantiation

Solution

Yes, but it's very awkward.

string name = "MyNamespace.Customer";

Type targetType = Type.GetType(name);

Type genericType = typeof(GenericRepository<>).MakeGenericType( targetType );

object instance = Activator.CreateInstance(genericType);

In linqpad, `instance.Dump();` :

GenericRepository<Customer> 
UserQuery+GenericRepository`1[UserQuery+Customer]

Edit

You could assign the `CreateInstance` result to a dynamic, and not have to invoke methods through reflection.

dynamic instance = Activator.CreateInstance(genericType);
instance.SomeInstanceMethod(someParameter);

Problem

I have two Classes (i.e. `Customer`, and `Employee`) and a generic repository `GenericRepository<T> where T : class`. Is is possible to instantiate a new GenericRepository instance while assigning the value of T from a string? Like this: ``` string x = "Customer"; var repository = new GenericRepository<x>(); ``` (thus creating a repository instance of type `GenericRepository<Customer>`)

Original source