Help with Generic Method

[=?Utf-8?B?Sm9obiBB?=]

Hi all, below at the bottom are 2 nearly identical overloads for the same
method. As you can see the algorithm is exactly the same. However try as I
may I cannot seem too create a usefull Generic method, i.e. one that compiles.

What I would like to be able to do is something like the following when I
call it.
this.UpdateAnswer<TextBox>(question, answer);

Or better yet.
this.UpdateAnswer<typeof(SomeUiElement.GetType())> (question, answer);

Is this type of thing at all possible with generics or am I headed down the
wrong path?

private void UpdateAnswer(PaginationPageQuestion question, TextBox answer)
{
if (answer != null)
{
question.Answer = !answer.Text.Trim().Equals(string.Empty) ?
answer.Text.Trim() :
null
;
}
}

private void UpdateAnswer(PaginationPageQuestion question, ComboBox
answer)
{
if (answer != null)
{
question.Answer = !answer.Text.Trim().Equals(string.Empty) ?
answer.Text.Trim() :
null
;
}
}

--
Thank you,
John

[Moty Michaely]

On May 18, 11:35 pm, John A <[e-mail]:

Hi all, below at the bottom are 2 nearly identical overloads for the same
method. As you can see the algorithm is exactly the same. However try as I
may I cannot seem too create a usefull Generic method, i.e. one that compiles.

What I would like to be able to do is something like the following when I
call it.
this.UpdateAnswer<TextBox>(question, answer);

Or better yet.
this.UpdateAnswer<typeof(SomeUiElement.GetType())> (question, answer);

Is this type of thing at all possible with generics or am I headed down the
wrong path?

private void UpdateAnswer(PaginationPageQuestion question, TextBox answer)
{
if (answer != null)
{
question.Answer = !answer.Text.Trim().Equals(string.Empty) ?
answer.Text.Trim() :
null
;
}
}

private void UpdateAnswer(PaginationPageQuestion question, ComboBox
answer)
{
if (answer != null)
{
question.Answer = !answer.Text.Trim().Equals(string.Empty) ?
answer.Text.Trim() :
null
;
}
}

--
Thank you,
John

Dear John,

Your answer question must have a text property?

I would suggest using the strategy Pattern to answer the questions.
Sort of a delegate that will handle the return value of the answer.

Something like:
UpdateAnswer(question, answer, predicate);

To use generics you will have to find common properties for the types
that will be used..

Hope this helps.

Moty.

[Samuel R. Neff]

No need for generics, just use the common base class as the type for
your second argument:

private void UpdateAnswer(PaginatingPageQuestion question, Control
answer) {
...
}

This is not always possible, but in your particular case both classes
you're concerned with share a common base which declares the property
you want to check (Text).

HTH,

Sam

------------------------------------------------------------
We're hiring! B-Line Medical is seeking .NET
Developers for exciting positions in medical product
development in MD/DC. Work with a variety of technologies
in a relaxed team environment. See ads on Dice.com.

On Fri, 18 May 2007 13:35:00 -0700, John A
<i-*********@newsgroups.nospamwrote:

>Hi all, below at the bottom are 2 nearly identical overloads for the same
method. As you can see the algorithm is exactly the same. However try as I
may I cannot seem too create a usefull Generic method, i.e. one that compiles.

What I would like to be able to do is something like the following when I
call it.
this.UpdateAnswer<TextBox>(question, answer);

[Moty Michaely]

On May 18, 11:52 pm, Samuel R. Neff <[e-mail]:

No need for generics, just use the common base class as the type for
your second argument:

private void UpdateAnswer(PaginatingPageQuestion question, Control
answer) {
...

}

This is not always possible, but in your particular case both classes
you're concerned with share a common base which declares the property
you want to check (Text).

HTH,

Sam

------------------------------------------------------------
We're hiring! B-Line Medical is seeking .NET
Developers for exciting positions in medical product
development in MD/DC. Work with a variety of technologies
in a relaxed team environment. See ads on Dice.com.

On Fri, 18 May 2007 13:35:00 -0700, John A

<[e-mail]:

Hi all, below at the bottom are 2 nearly identical overloads for the same
method. As you can see the algorithm is exactly the same. However try as I
may I cannot seem too create a usefull Generic method, i.e. one that compiles.

What I would like to be able to do is something like the following when I
call it.
this.UpdateAnswer<TextBox>(question, answer);

Yes,
Samuel is right in case of a Control.

If there will be cases in which the *answer* object type doesn't have
the text property (say Age property), it will not work..

Polymorphic calls are preferred in your case.

Moty