Can C# generics have a specific base type?

Question

Is it possible for a generic interface's type to be based on a specific parent class?

For example:

public interface IGenericFace<T : BaseClass>
{
}

Obviously the above code doesn't work but if it did, what I'm trying to tell the compiler is that T must be a sub-class of BaseClass. Can that be done, are there plans for it, etc.?

I think it would be useful in terms of a specific project, making sure a generic interface/class isn't used with unintended type(s) at compile time. Or also to sort of self-document: show what kind of type is intended.

score 94 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 23 '08 at 17:58

94

public interface IGenericFace<T> where T : SomeBaseClass

answered Oct 23 '08 at 17:58

Ryan Lundy

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You can find more info on how to constrain the type at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d5x73970(VS.80).aspx – tvanfosson Oct 23 '08 at 18:01
@Kyralessa, is it possible to have a generic baseclass – Demodave Jun 02 '15 at 20:27

score 67 · Answer 2 · edited May 07 '13 at 10:51

What your are referring to is called "Generic Constraints". There are numerous constraints that can be put on a generic type.

Some basic examples are as follows:

where T: struct - The type argument must be a value type. Any value type except Nullable - can be specified. See Using Nullable Types (C# Programming Guide) for more information.
where T : class - The type argument must be a reference type; this applies also to any class, interface, delegate, or array type.
where T : new() - The type argument must have a public parameterless constructor. When used together with other constraints, the new() constraint must be specified last.
where T : <base class name> - The type argument must be or derive from the specified base class.
where T : <interface name> - The type argument must be or implement the specified interface. Multiple interface constraints can be specified. The constraining interface can also be generic.
where T : U - The type argument supplied for T must be or derive from the argument supplied for U. This is called a naked type constraint.

These can also be linked together like this:

C#

public class TestClass<T> where T : MyBaseClass, INotifyPropertyChanged, new() { }
public interface IGenericFace<T> where T : SomeBaseClass

VB

Public Class TestClass(Of T As {MyBaseClass, INotifyPropertyChanged, New})
Public Interface IGenericInterface(Of T As SomeBaseClass)

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 23 '08 at 18:04

6

yes.

public interface IGenericFace<T>
    where T : BaseClass
{
}

edited Oct 23 '08 at 18:04

John Sheehan

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answered Oct 23 '08 at 17:59

6

this should be deleted, I don't see how it is adding anything - Kyralessa already answered this. – Jason Bunting Oct 23 '08 at 18:16

Can C# generics have a specific base type?

3 Answers3

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