Reflection and Generic Types
From the point of view of reflection, the difference between a generic type and an ordinary type is that a generic type has associated with it a set of type parameters (if it is a generic type definition) or type arguments (if it is a constructed type). A generic method differs from an ordinary method in the same way.
The problem in reflection is to provide a way to examine this array of type parameters or type arguments. In the case of type parameters, reflection must also provide a way of examining the constraints. This section describes the methods of the Type and MethodInfo classes that provide the ability to examine generic types and methods.
In This Section
- Overview of Reflection and Generics
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Explains the two key things you need to know to understand reflection over generic types and methods, and introduces the most important properties and methods that unlock generics.
- How to: Examine and Instantiate Generic Types with Reflection
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Shows how to use the properties and methods of Type and MethodInfo to examine generic types.
Reference
- System.Type.IsGenericType
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Provides a table of invariants for the terms used to discuss generic types and methods.
- System.Reflection.MethodInfo.IsGenericMethod
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Provides a table of invariants for the terms used to discuss generic methods
