C# call a method using string

Question

I have a method that can be called via obj.description

public class FromJS
{
    public String description { get; set; }
}

FromJS obj = new FromJS();
obj.description;

is it possible to call it like this

String val = "description";

obj.val

You're looking for reflection. However, that is usually a bad idea. — SLaks, Feb 23 '14 at 17:02
possible duplicate of [Get property value from string using reflection in C#](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1196991/get-property-value-from-string-using-reflection-in-c-sharp) — ProgramFOX, Feb 23 '14 at 17:04
@momokjaaaaa So read about the reflection something on the internet and then come back. You can't really skip studying if you want to use knowledge. — Ondrej Janacek, Feb 23 '14 at 17:06
If you use the `GetPropValue` method of that question, just use this code: `string descr = (string)GetPropValue(obj, "description");` — ProgramFOX, Feb 23 '14 at 17:06
@OndrejJanacek let's just say I am a slow learner who had done my homework but still couldnt get it right therefore I jumped into stackoverflow looking for help. — momokjaaaaa, Feb 23 '14 at 17:09
This question appears to be off-topic because it is way too broad, and the person asking could have done the research suggested to him in the comments — Noctis, Apr 28 '14 at 20:54
possible duplicate of [Calling a function from a string in C#](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/540066/calling-a-function-from-a-string-in-c-sharp) — H H, May 31 '14 at 12:49

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered May 31 '14 at 12:41

I see the question is coming from a user having experience in scripting languages (that have late-binding for methods, properties by default). Those languages usually support easy syntax for "evaluating" a string as a piece of program.

C# is a stongly typed language and it supports late-binding as an exception, so there is no straight-forward solution as an eval() in php, perl, python or ruby. When working with C#, please either try to find a solution where you do not need such tricks, or use reflection as some comments suggested.

A beginner's intro for reflection in .NET: http://csharp.net-tutorials.com/reflection/introduction/

C# call a method using string

1 Answers1