C#•2y ago

❔ ✅ How can I make a variable any type?

How can I make it so a variable has a type 'Any'?

30 Replies

Hugh•2y ago

You could make it an object? (The ? is part of the type) You’d have to cast it whenever you wanted to get at the actual value

arukovicOP•2y ago

If i were to add two vars with the type object? would it work? just curious

Thinker•2y ago

Simple: you don't catsip

arukovicOP•2y ago

i'll just have to go with object? for now then

Thinker•2y ago

Why do you think you want this?

Ezlanding•2y ago

No, as the type object? doesn’t have a + operator defined

Thinker•2y ago

Because there may very well be a better alternative.

arukovicOP•2y ago

you know any? ah i see

Ezlanding•2y ago

Give context to what your doing

Thinker•2y ago

What are you trying to do?

arukovicOP•2y ago

tryna accept input from the user but i dont know the type that user will be entering, and i want to perform actions on number given by the user

Thinker•2y ago

If you accept user input it will always be a string

arukovicOP•2y ago

type as in i know it'll not be a string

Thinker•2y ago

At least using Console.ReadLine

Ezlanding•2y ago

As in from Console.ReadLine? That returns a string

arukovicOP•2y ago

i did, i also tried Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine()); but that is strict to int not any datatype

Thinker•2y ago

yes...? Console.ReadLine() returns a string. You can parse that string into other data types (ex. numbers), but you still have to know its type. There is no way to just say "figure out what this string means" You have to be strict and specify explicitly what you expect it to be.

arukovicOP•2y ago

is that always the case?

Thinker•2y ago

Yes. Even if you use object here, you won't get around this.

arukovicOP•2y ago

we always will have to know the type of data?

Thinker•2y ago

A string is a string. An int is an int. Yes

arukovicOP•2y ago

alr ty

Thinker•2y ago

As mentioned, C# is a statically typed language. Types always have to be known.

arukovicOP•2y ago

no wonder now i know can i close this post or something now?

Thinker•2y ago

ye /close

arukovicOP•2y ago

alr

Ezlanding•2y ago

Something you can do is check to see if the string only contains numeric chars, and if so convert. Aka int32.TryParse() https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.int32.tryparse?view=net-7.0#system-int32-tryparse(system-string-system-int32@)

Int32.TryParse Method (System)

Converts the string representation of a number to its 32-bit signed integer equivalent. A return value indicates whether the operation succeeded.

mindhardt•2y ago

Better avoid Convert, because $tryparse

MODiX•2y ago

The TryParse pattern is considered best practice of parsing data from a string: - a TryParse method returns true or false to inform you if it succeeded or not, so you can use it directly in a condition, - since C# 7 you can declare a variable that will be used as an out argument inline in an argument list, - it forces you to check if the out argument contains valid data afterwards, Avoid: Convert.ToInt32 — it's a bad choice for parsing an int. It exists only for backwards compatibility reasons and should be considered last resort.

return Convert.ToInt32(null); //returns 0. null should not be considered as 0 ever
return Convert.ToInt32("asdf"); //throws FormatException

return Convert.ToInt32(null); //returns 0. null should not be considered as 0 ever
return Convert.ToInt32("asdf"); //throws FormatException

(Note: Convert does contain useful conversion methods: To/FromBase64String, To/FromHexString, ToString(X value, int toBase), ToX(string? value, int fromBase)) Avoid: int.Parse — you have to use a try/catch statement to handle invalid input, which is a less clean solution.

var number = int.Parse("abc"); //throws FormatException
var number = int.Parse(""); //throws FormatException

var number = int.Parse("abc"); //throws FormatException
var number = int.Parse(""); //throws FormatException

Use int.TryParse https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.int32.tryparse?view=net-5.0#System_Int32_TryParse_System_String_System_Int32__

if (int.TryParse(someInput, out var result))
{
  Console.WriteLine($"Thanks for giving me the following number: {result}!");
}
else
{
  Console.WriteLine("You didn't give me a valid number :c");
}

if (int.TryParse(someInput, out var result))
{
  Console.WriteLine($"Thanks for giving me the following number: {result}!");
}
else
{
  Console.WriteLine("You didn't give me a valid number :c");
}

Int32.TryParse Method (System)

Converts the string representation of a number to its 32-bit signed integer equivalent. A return value indicates whether the operation succeeded.

Accord•2y ago

Was this issue resolved? If so, run /close - otherwise I will mark this as stale and this post will be archived until there is new activity.

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❔ ✅ How can I make a variable any type?