Don't ask me why but I need to do the following:
string ClassName = "SomeClassName";
object o = MagicallyCreateInstance("SomeClassName");
I want to know how many ways there are to do this is and which approach to use in which scenario.
Examples:
Activator.CreateInstance
Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly.CreateInstance("")
- Any other suggestions would be appreciated
This question is not meant to be an open ended discussion because I am sure there are only so many ways this can be achieved.
Here's what the method may look like:
private static object MagicallyCreateInstance(string className)
{
var assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
var type = assembly.GetTypes()
.First(t => t.Name == className);
return Activator.CreateInstance(type);
}
The code above assumes that:
- you are looking for a class that is in the currently executing assembly (this can be adjusted - just change
assembly
to whatever you need)
- there is exactly one class with the name you are looking for in that assembly
- the class has a default constructor
Update:
Here's how to get all the classes that derive from a given class (and are defined in the same assembly):
private static IEnumerable<Type> GetDerivedTypesFor(Type baseType)
{
var assembly = Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly();
return assembly.GetTypes()
.Where(baseType.IsAssignableFrom)
.Where(t => baseType != t);
}
Activator.CreateInstance(Type.GetType("SomeNamespace.SomeClassName"));
or
Activator.CreateInstance(null, "SomeNamespace.SomeClassName").Unwrap();
There are also overloads where you can specify constructor arguments.