C# Enum for datatypes

Question

Is there any enum in c# which holds c# datatypes. So that I can define a property in a class which accepts datatype (int,string) from the user.

Answer 1

There is the TypeCode Enumeration in System. Looks like it covers all of the base types.

You can get the TypeCode for any object using Type.GetTypeCode():

TypeCode typeCode = Type.GetTypeCode(anObject.GetType());

Answer 2

Do you simply want to associate an enum value with a string? You might want to use the Description attribute.

public enum MyEnum
{
    [Description("My first value.")]
    FirstValue,
    [Description("My second value.")]
    SecondValue,
    [Description("My third value.")]
    ThirdValue
}

private string GetEnumDescription(Enum value)
{
    FieldInfo fi = value.GetType().GetField(value.ToString());
    DescriptionAttribute[] attributes = (DescriptionAttribute[])fi.GetCustomAttributes(typeof(DescriptionAttribute), false);
    if (attributes.Length > 0)
    {
        return attributes[0].Description;
    }
    else
    {
        return value.ToString();
    }
}

Another possibility for defining a mapping would be to use a Dictionary<int, string>.

Answer 3

There is a boolean property of Type-type "IsPrimitive" hope this helps you.