Convert an object to a type based on the string value passed in C#

Question

I have a requirement where the object type [name of the object] is passed as a string variable. Now based on the object name passed, I need to create that object type. Please note the string value contains the exact object type name. I have written a code snippet but it is throwing an exception.

e.g -

string objectName = "EntityTest.Entity.OrderEntity";//Entity type name
object obj = new object();
object newobj = new object();
newobj = Convert.ChangeType(obj, Type.GetType(objectName));

I do this I get error -- > Object must implement IConvertible.

My entity OrderEntity has already implemented the IConvertible interface.

Any help/suggestion is greatly appreciated. Is there any other way I can create the object to fulfill my requirement.

Answer 1

You're currently trying to convert an existing object, rather than creating one of the right type. Assuming your Type.GetType call is working, you can just use:

Type type = Type.GetType(objectName);
object x = Activator.CreateInstance(type);

A few points to note:

• Type.GetType(string) requires an assembly-qualified name unless the type is either in the currently-executing assembly or mscorlib
• Activator.CreateInstance(Type) will call the parameterless constructor (which has to be accessible); if you need to pass arguments to the constructor, there are other overloads available.