Get an objects value as a string

[Ray Cassick \(Home\)]

I am looking for a generic way to see if an object supports the ToString
method, then invoke that method to return the results of that generic
objects ToString method.

I have a generic exception class and one of the arguments I pass in is a
generic object type.

In this exception class I would like to be able to provide a ToString method
where this value is shown, but the exception class cannot know anything
about the object that is getting passed in. I want to keep it as generic as
possible that way.

I have been poking around with InvokeMember and just can't seem to get it
right.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

--
Raymond R Cassick
CEO / CSA
Enterprocity Inc.
www.enterprocity.com
3380 Sheridan Drive, #143
Amherst, NY 14227
V: 716-316-7537
Blog: http://spaces.msn.com/members/rcassick/

 

[Ray Cassick \(Home\)]

Well I should have known, after trying for 2 hours and posting this message
I worked another few minutes and got it...

Friend Function GetStringValue(ByVal inputData As Object) As String

Dim retval As String
Dim types(-1) As System.Type
Dim inputDataType As Type = inputData.GetType

retval = inputDataType.InvokeMember("ToString",
BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, Nothing, inputData, types)

Return retval

End Function

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Ray,

All classes inherit from the Object Class

See its members
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d.../cpref/html/frlrfsystemobjectmemberstopic.asp

And therefore is ToString forever in an object. However be aware that it is
often overriden.

Try by instance this one
dim a as string = 1.ToString

I hope this helps,

Cor

 

[Tom Shelton]

Well I should have known, after trying for 2 hours and posting this message
I worked another few minutes and got it...

Friend Function GetStringValue(ByVal inputData As Object) As String

Dim retval As String
Dim types(-1) As System.Type
Dim inputDataType As Type = inputData.GetType

retval = inputDataType.InvokeMember("ToString",
BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, Nothing, inputData, types)

Return retval

End Function

I'm not sure why you need to go to these lengths? Every value in VB.NET
has a ToString method, since everything inherits from System.Object. If
you simply call inputData.ToString () you will get the proper result -
even if it's overridden:

Option Strict On
Option Explicit On

Imports System

Module modMain
' Our Entry Point
Public Sub Main ()
Dim t As Object = New Testing ()
Console.WriteLine (t.ToString ())
End Sub

Private Class Testing
Public Overrides Overloads Function ToString () As String
Return "Hello, From Testing"
End Function
End Class
End Module

 

[Ray Cassick \(Home\)]

This is what I had figured as well but it did not seem to look right in the
IDE.

Dim testData As Object

Then when I went to try to do a Debug.WriteLine the .ToString method did not
appear after the dot. All I got was GetType.

....but when I typed in the following...

Debug.WriteLine(testData.ToString)

....it seemed to take and even compile.. seems odd that the member would be
valid but not show up in IntelliSense like that.

 

[Ray Cassick \(Home\)]

Aaaaaaaaa found my answer here....

http://groups-beta.google.com/group...bject+ToString&rnum=34&hl=en#2418ca19c85bd012

Seems that the .ToString member is considered an advanced function and is
hidden from us by default. I hade to change my editor settings to show it.


Seems (for lack of a better term) <in Dexters voice> stupid </in Dexters
voice>.

 

[Ray Cassick \(Home\)]

Oh boy does that really tick me off!

Why the heck would they HIDE ANYTHING from a developer!

And... how can I do that?