Is the use of blank interfaces a bad design?

Question

I'm considering creating an interface and applying it to all objects in a certain namespace.

Scenario in which I would use this: I want to create a generic handler of those objects, and I'd like to enforce the generic parameter to only accept types that implement this particular interface.

Is this a bad design, or are blank interfaces acceptable?

Answer 1

What you are talking about doing is known as Marker Interfaces.

I've used this technique successfully in the past, but I would question whether the artificial limitation you are placing on your generic class is actually necessary. If so, then this is certainly a quick and compile checked method of accomplishing it.

Answer 2

Nothing wrong with them in my opinion. A lot of their strength lies in combination with (generated) partial classes.