Question

Why cannot I see this enum extension method? (I think I’m going crazy).

File1.cs

namespace Ns1
{
    public enum Website : int
    {
        Website1 = 0,
        Website2
    }
}

File2.cs

using Ns1;

namespace Ns2
{
    public class MyType : RequestHandler<Request, Response>
    {                        
        public override Response Handle(Request request,                                       CRequest cRequest)
        {
            //does not compile, cannot "see" ToDictionary
            var websites = Website.ToDictionary<int>(); 

            return null;
        }
    }


    //converts enum to dictionary of values
    public static class EnumExtensions
    {        
        public static IDictionary ToDictionary<TEnumValueType>(this Enum e)
        {                        
            if(typeof(TEnumValueType).FullName != Enum.GetUnderlyingType(e.GetType()).FullName) throw new ArgumentException("Invalid type specified.");

            return Enum.GetValues(e.GetType())
                        .Cast<object>()
                        .ToDictionary(key => Enum.GetName(e.GetType(), key), 
                                      value => (TEnumValueType) value);            
        }
    }
}

Answer 1

You are trying to call the extension method as a static method on the type rather than as an instance method on an object of that type. This usage of extension methods is not supported.

If you have an instance then the extension method is found:

Website website = Website.Website1;
var websites = website.ToDictionary<int>();