When new-able use new T(), otherwise use default(T)

Question

I am working on a C# generic function. When error, if the generic type can be new-able, return new T(), otherwise return default(T).

The code like this:

private T Func<T>()
{
    try
    {
        // try to do something...
    }
    catch (Exception exception)
    {
        if (T is new-able) // <---------- How to do this?
        {
            return new T();
        }
        else
        {
            return default(T);
        }
    }
}

I know it needs where T : new() for those using new T(). This question is, how to judge this on runtime?

Answer 1

I little played with MarcoLaser's answer and made my 'if T is newable then get instance constructor'

public class MyClass<T>
{
        public MyClass()
        {
            var constructor = typeof(T).GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes);
            if (constructor != null)
                Data = (T)constructor.Invoke(null);  
        }

        public T Data { get; set; }
}



  

Answer 2

You just need to check whether the type has a parameterless constructor. You do it by callingType.GetConstructor method with empty types as parameter.

var constructorInfo = typeof(T).GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes);
if(constructorInfo != null)
{
   //here you go
   object instance = constructorInfo.Invoke(null);
}

Answer 3

If I remember correctly, Activator.CreateInstance<T> will return an object constructed with the parameterless constructor if T is a class or a default(T) if T is a struct.

You can use the technique in Sriram's answer to first make sure a parameterless constructor exists for T.

Answer 4

You could something like checking for a default constructor and execute new T() if one is found. To do this you could use something like:

var constructor = typeof(T).GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes);
if(constructor != null)
{
    return (T)constructor.Invoke(null);
}
else
{
    return default(T);
}