Question

How can i check/evaluate the exact type of T without an object for T. I know my question maybe confusing but consider this…

 public abstract class Business
    {
        public abstract string GetBusinessName();
    }

    public class Casino : Business  
    {
        public override string GetBusinessName()
        {
            return "Casino Corp";
        }
    }

    public class DrugStore : Business 
    {
        public override string GetBusinessName()
        {
            return "DrugStore business";
        }
    }


    public class BusinessManager<T> where T : Business
    {
        private Casino _casino;
        private DrugStore _drugStore;

        public string ShowBusinessName()
        {
            string businessName;
            if (T == Casino) // Error: How can I check the type?
            {
                _casino = new Casino();
                businessName = _casino.GetBusinessName();
            }
            else if (T == DrugStore) // Error: How can I check the type?
            {
                _drugStore = new DrugStore();
                businessName = _drugStore.GetBusinessName();
            }

            return businessName;

        }
    }

I just want to have something like this on the client.

    protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        var businessManager = new BusinessManager<Casino>();
        Response.Write(businessManager.ShowBusinessName());

        businessManager = new BusinessManager<DrugStore>();
        Response.Write(businessManager.ShowBusinessName());
    }

Notice that I actually didnt create the actual object for Casino and Drugstore when I call the BusinessManager, I just pass it as generic type constraint of the class. I just need to know exactly what Type i am passing BusinessManager to know what exactly the Type to instantiate. Thanks…

PS: I don’t want to create separate specific BusinessManager for Casino and Drugstore..

You can also comment about the design.. thanks..

ADDITIONAL: and what if class Casino and DrugStore is an ABSTRACT CLASS =)

Answer 1

You should do

public class BusinessManager<T> where T : Business, new()
...

T _business = new T();
string businessName = _business.GetBusinessName();
return businessName;