Question

How can I get the ConstructorInfo for a static constructor?

public class MyClass 
{
    public static int SomeValue;

    static MyClass() 
    {
        SomeValue = 23;
    }
}

I’ve tried the following and failed….

Type myClass = typeof (MyClass);

// throws exception
myClass.TypeInitializer.Invoke(null);

// returns null (also tried deleting  BindingFlags.Public
ConstructorInfo ci = myClass.GetConstructor(
    BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.Public,\
    System.Type.DefaultBinder,
    System.Type.EmptyTypes,
    null);

// returns empty array
ConstructorInfo[] clutchingAtStraws = myClass.GetConstructors
   (BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.Public);

Answer 1

Use myClass.TypeInitializer.Invoke(null, null).

I’ve just tried this and it worked fine.

I would strongly recommend that you don’t do this, however – it violates a type expecting the static constructor to only be executed once. Use RuntimeHelpers.RunClassConstructor as per Oliver’s answer if you’re just trying to ensure a class is initialized.