Getting Object Property to String Using Lambda Expression in C#

Question

Suppose I have this class:

class MyClass {
  public int MyProperty { get; set; }
}

And I want to get the MyProperty as string (e.g. "MyProperty") but through lambda expression or any other way that is "refactoring-friendly".

Is there a syntax that is something like this:

void BindToDataSource(IEnumerable<MyClass> list) {
    myComboBox.DataSource = list;
    myComboBox.DisplayMember = typeof(MyClass).GetPropertyToString(c => c.MyProperty);
}

I dont want to this code:

myComboBox.DisplayMember = "MyProperty"

because it is not "refactoring-friendly".

So you want to use reflection to avoid using reflection? There is no compile-time reflection: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ericlippert/archive/2009/05/21/in-foof-we-trust-a-dialogue.aspx — Tim Schmelter, May 22 '13 at 10:43
I don't mind if it is using reflection, I just want my code to be "refactoring-friendly." — rajeemcariazo, May 22 '13 at 10:44
possible duplicate of [Compile Time Reflection in C#](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9335126/compile-time-reflection-in-c-sharp) — Tim Schmelter, May 22 '13 at 10:45

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 11:50

Take a look at the answer to this: Workaround for lack of 'nameof' operator in C# for type-safe databinding?

In your case, if you implement this Generic Class:

public class Nameof<T>
{
    public static string Property<TProp>(Expression<Func<T, TProp>> expression)
    {
        var body = expression.Body as MemberExpression;

        if(body == null)
            throw new ArgumentException("'expression' should be a member expression");

        return body.Member.Name;
    }
}

You can use it like this:

void BindToDataSource(IEnumerable<MyClass> list) 
{
    myComboBox.DataSource = list;
    myComboBox.DisplayMember = Nameof<MyClass>.Property(e => e.MyProperty);
}

Getting Object Property to String Using Lambda Expression in C#

1 Answers1