C# attribute usage: only allow attributes on a property with specific data type [duplicate]

Question

I've created a few attributes for properties. now I want to limit these attributes to properties with a certain data type? the idea is, a compiler error will be thrown if it is assign to a different type. is this possible?

if not, then I guess i'll have to check it on runtime.

Answer 1

You could write a custom FxCop/ Code Analysis rule to check for this.

FxCop is integrated in VS 2010 under the name "Code Analyis", you can change the ruleset in the project properties.

Answer 2

No, this is not possible.

A good workaround is to build a unit test which will traverse all classes, their properties and check for this additional applicability criteria. It's not that comfortable as a compile-time error message, but will serve the purpose. In case you have some kind of build automation infrastructure, the quality assurance level will be the same in practice.