Switching on a generic type?

Question

Is it possible to switch on a generic type in Swift?

Here's an example of what I mean:

func doSomething<T>(type: T.Type) {     switch type {     case String.Type:         // Do something         break;     case Int.Type:         // Do something         break;     default:         // Do something         break;     } } 

When trying to use the code above, I get the following errors:

Binary operator '~=' cannot be applied to operands of type 'String.Type.Type' and 'T.Type' Binary operator '~=' cannot be applied to operands of type 'Int.Type.Type' and 'T.Type' 

Is there a way to switch on a type, or to achieve something similar? (calling a method with a generic and performing different actions depending on the type of the generic)

Answer 1

You need the is pattern:

func doSomething<T>(type: T.Type) {     switch type {     case is String.Type:         print("It's a String")     case is Int.Type:         print("It's an Int")     default:         print("Wot?")     } } 

Note that the break statements are usually not needed, there is no "default fallthrough" in Swift cases.