Switching on a type variable

Question

This feels like it should be really easy, but I just can't see a way to get this to work.

Type propType = propertyInfo.PropertyType;
switch (propType)
{
  case typeof(byte): // Can't do this, 'A constant value is expected'
    // Do something
    break;
}

I also tried doing

private const byteType = typeof(byte);

and switching on that, but this line of code fails to compile for the same reason.

So, the question: How do I switch on an instance of Type?

Answer 1

Okay, my initial answer was wrong. You can't do that in a type switch (without using when as pointed out, which is awful for this use in my opinion). The problem is that a Type is not a constant, so you can't use that in a switch.

I was mistaken because you weren't using the actual value but a Type instance. You have to keep using if statements.

Answer 2

You can do this with switch, you just need to use a var pattern and when guard:

Type propType = propertyInfo.PropertyType;
switch (propType)
{
    case var b when b == typeof(byte):
        // Do something
        break;
}