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Asked: 2026-05-11T09:16:50+00:00

I have a generic method that copies values between value types. The following approaches

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I have a generic method that copies values between value types. The following approaches give a design time error, even with the struct constraint. Any idea how I can copy or cast between the values?

private Ttgt MyMethod<Tsrc,Ttgt>(Tsrc SourceObject)      where Tsrc : struct     where Ttgt : struct {     //Error:cannot implictly convert type 'Tsrc' to 'Ttgt'     Ttgt returnObject = SourceObject;       //Error:Cannot convert type 'Tsrc' to 'Ttgt'     Ttgt returnObject = (Ttgt)SourceObject;       return returnObject; }
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  1. Given that there is a registered type converter for the types that you’re trying to convert between a little reflection magic could do the trick:

    private Ttgt MyMethod<Tsrc,Ttgt>(Tsrc sourceObject)      where Tsrc:struct where  Ttgt:struct     {         Type targetType = typeof(Ttgt);     TypeConverter tc = TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(targetType);     Ttgt returnObject = (Ttgt)tc.ConvertTo(sourceObject, targetType);     return returnObject;     }

    But out of the box it would be of very limited use since there is no converter between bool and int for example. What problem are you trying to solve?

    I also discovered another question with some crazy conversion code in it.

    Edit: Your comment makes it clear that you are trying to perform object to object mapping between domain objects and some kind of view/contract model. Have you looked at AutoMapper?

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