Type.GenericTypeArguments property vs Type.GetGenericArguments() method

Question

What's the difference between the Type.GenericTypeArguments property and the Type.GetGenericArguments() method? Do they always return the same thing or are there situations where they differ?

Answer 1

typeof(List<>) is an example where they differ. The property returns an empty array, while the method returns an array with a generic T in it. (this T has IsGenericParameter true)

From reading the documentation, I think that you can think of GenericTypeArguments as GetGenericArguments().Where(t => !t.IsGenericParameter).ToArray(), i.e. only the concrete types. See also ContainsGenericParameters.

Answer 2

The reference source tells the exact answer:

public virtual Type[] GenericTypeArguments{     get{         if(IsGenericType && !IsGenericTypeDefinition){             return GetGenericArguments();         }         else{             return Type.EmptyTypes;     } } 

This implementation is never overridden with something else.