How to get all types that implement a specific Interface in C# and VB.NET

March 17, 2015

To retrieve a IEnuemerable of all types in the current or another Assembly that implement a specific Interface / Abstract class and so on, you can use the snippets below.

Methods

C# Version

Assembly myAssembly = Assembly.LoadFrom(@"C:\Codesnippets.Fesslersoft.de\Fesslersoft.dll");
            
//Gets all referenced Types of the current Assembly that implement a specific interface
IEnumerable<Type> currentAssemblytypes = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies().SelectMany(x => x.GetTypes()).Where(y => typeof(MyInterfaceName).IsAssignableFrom(y) && !y.IsInterface);
            
//Gets all referenced Types of an assembly that implement a specific interface
IEnumerable<Type> otherAssemblyTypes = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(y => typeof(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) && !y.IsInterface);

//You can also change IsInterface to IsAbstract if you are checking for types that implement an Abstract Class.
IEnumerable<Type> otherAssemblyTypesAbstract = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(y => typeof(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) && !y.IsAbstract);

Assembly myAssembly = Assembly.LoadFrom(@"C:\Codesnippets.Fesslersoft.de\Fesslersoft.dll");

//Gets all referenced Types of the current Assembly that implement a specific interface

IEnumerable<Type> currentAssemblytypes = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies().SelectMany(x => x.GetTypes()).Where(y => typeof(MyInterfaceName).IsAssignableFrom(y) && !y.IsInterface);

//Gets all referenced Types of an assembly that implement a specific interface

IEnumerable<Type> otherAssemblyTypes = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(y => typeof(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) && !y.IsInterface);

//You can also change IsInterface to IsAbstract if you are checking for types that implement an Abstract Class.

IEnumerable<Type> otherAssemblyTypesAbstract = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(y => typeof(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) && !y.IsAbstract);

VB.NET Version

Dim myAssembly As Assembly = Assembly.LoadFrom("C:\Codesnippets.Fesslersoft.de\Fesslersoft.dll")

'Gets all referenced Types of the current Assembly that implement a specific interface
Dim currentAssemblytypes As IEnumerable(Of Type) = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies().SelectMany(Function(x) x.GetTypes()).Where(Function(y) GetType(MyInterfaceName).IsAssignableFrom(y) AndAlso Not y.IsInterface)

'Gets all referenced Types of an assembly that implement a specific interface
Dim otherAssemblyTypes As IEnumerable(Of Type) = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(Function(y) GetType(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) AndAlso Not y.IsInterface)

'You can also change IsInterface to IsAbstract if you are checking for types that implement an Abstract Class.
 Dim otherAssemblyTypesAbstract As IEnumerable(Of Type) = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(Function(y) GetType(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) AndAlso Not y.IsAbstract)

Dim myAssembly As Assembly = Assembly.LoadFrom("C:\Codesnippets.Fesslersoft.de\Fesslersoft.dll")

'Gets all referenced Types of the current Assembly that implement a specific interface

Dim currentAssemblytypes As IEnumerable(Of Type) = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies().SelectMany(Function(x) x.GetTypes()).Where(Function(y) GetType(MyInterfaceName).IsAssignableFrom(y) AndAlso Not y.IsInterface)

'Gets all referenced Types of an assembly that implement a specific interface

Dim otherAssemblyTypes As IEnumerable(Of Type) = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(Function(y) GetType(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) AndAlso Not y.IsInterface)

'You can also change IsInterface to IsAbstract if you are checking for types that implement an Abstract Class.

Dim otherAssemblyTypesAbstract As IEnumerable(Of Type) = myAssembly.GetTypes().Where(Function(y) GetType(MyAbractClassName).IsAssignableFrom(y) AndAlso Not y.IsAbstract)

Compatibility:

.NET 2.0

.NET 3.0

.NET 3.5

.NET 4.0

.NET 4.5

Do you have an alternate or better method for this task?
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Related links:

How to get return Value from method invocation using reflection in C# and VB.NET

Administrator

February 27, 2015

3 Comments

To get return Value from method invocation using reflection in C# and VB.NET you can use the snippet below.

Sample C#

var returnValue = (Int32)methodInfo.Invoke(null,null); //just cast the returned object of Invoke to the needed Type. Theres no difference if it is a static method/class or not

Sample VB.NET

Dim returnValue = DirectCast(methodInfo.Invoke(Nothing, Nothing), Int32) 'just cast the returned object of Invoke to the needed Type. Theres no difference if it is a static method/class or not

For more informations on how to invoke methods from other assemblies using reflection see:

How to call a static method in different assembly using Reflection in C# and VB.NET

How to call a non-static method in different assembly using Reflection in C# and VB.NET

Administrator

February 27, 2015

4 Comments

To call a static method in different assembly using Reflection in C# and VB.NET you can use the snippet below.

Sample C#

Assembly assembly = Assembly.LoadFile(@"Assembly_Location");   
var type = assembly.Types().FirstOrDefault(x => x.FullName.Contains("MyClassName"));
var constructor = type.GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes);

var classObject = constructor.Invoke(new object[] { }); //call parameterless constructor
var classObject = constructor.Invoke(new object[] { param1 }); //call non-parameterless constructor

MethodInfo methodInfo = type.GetMethod("MyMethodName");
methodInfo.Invoke(classObject, new object[] { }); //pass classobject, parameterless method
methodInfo.Invoke(classObject, new object[] { param1 }); //pass classobject, parameterized method

Sample VB.NET

Dim assembly__1 As Assembly = Assembly.LoadFile("Assembly_Location")
Dim type__2 = assembly__1.Types().FirstOrDefault(Function(x) x.FullName.Contains("MyClassName"))
Dim constructor = type__2.GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes)

Dim classObject = constructor.Invoke(New Object() {})'call parameterless constructor
Dim classObject = constructor.Invoke(New Object() {param1})'call non-parameterless constructor

Dim methodInfo As MethodInfo = type__2.GetMethod("MyMethodName")
methodInfo.Invoke(classObject, New Object() {})'pass classobject, parameterless method
methodInfo.Invoke(classObject, New Object() {param1})'pass classobject, parameterized method

How to call a static method in different assembly using Reflection in C# and VB.NET

Administrator

February 27, 2015

4 Comments

To call a static method in different assembly using Reflection in C# and VB.NET you can use the snippet below.

Sample C#

Assembly assembly = Assembly.LoadFile(@"Assembly_Location"); 
var t = assembly.Types().FirstOrDefault(x=>x.FullName.Contains("MyClassName"));
var method = t.GetMethod("MyMethodName", BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Static);
method.Invoke(null, null); //assuming that the method does not have parameters
method.Invoke(null, new object[] { param1}); //assuming that the method has 1 parameter

Sample VB.NET

Dim assembly__1 As Assembly = Assembly.LoadFile("Assembly_Location")
Dim t = assembly.Types().FirstOrDefault(Function(x) x.FullName.Contains("MyClassName"))
Dim method = t.GetMethod("MyMethodName", BindingFlags.[Public] Or BindingFlags.[Static])
method.Invoke(Nothing, Nothing) 'assuming that the method does not have parameters
method.Invoke(Nothing, New Object() {param1}) 'assuming that the method has 1 parameter

Dynamic Event Subscription using C# or VB.NET

Administrator

February 23, 2015

3 Comments

The following snippet let you dynamically subscribe to events using C# or VB.NET.

Sample C#

//usage DynamicEventSubscription("button1", "Click", "button1_Click");
public void DynamicEventSubscription(string controlName,string eventName, string targetName, bool recursiveSearch=false)
{
	if (controlName == String.Empty) { throw new ArgumentNullException("controlName"); }
	if (eventName == String.Empty) { throw new ArgumentNullException("eventName"); }
	if (targetName == String.Empty) { throw new ArgumentNullException("targetName"); }

	try
	{
		var eventMethod = GetType().GetMethod(targetName);
		var control = Controls.Find(controlName, false).FirstOrDefault();
		if (control != null)
		{
			var eventToSubscribe = control.GetType().GetEvent(eventName);
			var handler = Delegate.CreateDelegate(eventToSubscribe.EventHandlerType, this, eventMethod);
			var button = Controls.Find(controlName, recursiveSearch).FirstOrDefault();
			eventToSubscribe.AddEventHandler(button, handler);
		}
	}
	catch (Exception ex)
	{
		//handle the exception your way
	}
}

Sample VB.NET

'usage DynamicEventSubscription("button1", "Click", "button1_Click")
Public Sub DynamicEventSubscription(controlName As String, eventName As String, targetName As String, Optional recursiveSearch As Boolean = False)
	If controlName = [String].Empty Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException("controlName")
	End If
	If eventName = [String].Empty Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException("eventName")
	End If
	If targetName = [String].Empty Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException("targetName")
	End If

	Try
		Dim eventMethod = [GetType]().GetMethod(targetName)
		Dim control = Controls.Find(controlName, False).FirstOrDefault()
		If control IsNot Nothing Then
			Dim eventToSubscribe = control.[GetType]().GetEvent(eventName)
			Dim handler = [Delegate].CreateDelegate(eventToSubscribe.EventHandlerType, Me, eventMethod)
			Dim button = Controls.Find(controlName, recursiveSearch).FirstOrDefault()
			eventToSubscribe.AddEventHandler(button, handler)
		End If
			'handle the exception your way
	Catch ex As Exception
	End Try
End Sub

In order to make this snippet work, you need to ensure that the target method is accessible via reflection. If you use .net 3.5 or lower, remove the optional parameter from the method signature.

Was this snippet helpful? Do you know a better way to do this? Feel free to post a comment!

How to get the name of the calling method in C# and VB.NET

Administrator

February 19, 2015

3 Comments

To get the name of the calling method in C# and VB.NET you can use the snippet below.

Sample C#

public static string GetCallingMethodName()
{
	var stackTrace = new StackTrace();
	return stackTrace.GetFrame(1).GetMethod().Name;
}

Sample VB.NET

Public Shared Function GetCallingMethodName() As String
	Dim stackTrace = New StackTrace()
	Return stackTrace.GetFrame(1).GetMethod().Name
End Function

Assembly version info extension methods for C# and VB.NET

Administrator

June 23, 2014

1 Comment

This snippet will give you Assembly version info extension methods for C# and VB.NET.

Sample C#

public static string GetVersion(this Assembly assembly)
{
	if (assembly == null)
	{
		throw new ArgumentNullException();
	}
	var assemblyName = assembly.GetName();
	var version = assemblyName.Version;
	return version.ToString();
}

public static string GetMajor(this Assembly assembly)
{
	if (assembly == null)
	{
		throw new ArgumentNullException();
	}
	var assemblyName = assembly.GetName();
	var version = assemblyName.Version;
	return version.Major.ToString();
}

public static string GetMinor(this Assembly assembly)
{
	if (assembly == null)
	{
		throw new ArgumentNullException();
	}
	var assemblyName = assembly.GetName();
	var version = assemblyName.Version;
	return version.Minor.ToString();
}

public static string GetBuild(this Assembly assembly)
{
	if (assembly == null)
	{
		throw new ArgumentNullException();
	}
	var assemblyName = assembly.GetName();
	var version = assemblyName.Version;
	return version.Build.ToString();
}

public static string GetRevision(this Assembly assembly)
{
	if (assembly == null)
	{
		throw new ArgumentNullException();
	}
	var assemblyName = assembly.GetName();
	var version = assemblyName.Version;
	return version.Revision.ToString();
}

Sample VB.NET

<System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Extension> _
Public Shared Function GetVersion(assembly As Assembly) As String
	If assembly Is Nothing Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException()
	End If
	Dim assemblyName = assembly.GetName()
	Dim version = assemblyName.Version
	Return version.ToString()
End Function

<System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Extension> _
Public Shared Function GetMajor(assembly As Assembly) As String
	If assembly Is Nothing Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException()
	End If
	Dim assemblyName = assembly.GetName()
	Dim version = assemblyName.Version
	Return version.Major.ToString()
End Function

<System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Extension> _
Public Shared Function GetMinor(assembly As Assembly) As String
	If assembly Is Nothing Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException()
	End If
	Dim assemblyName = assembly.GetName()
	Dim version = assemblyName.Version
	Return version.Minor.ToString()
End Function

<System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Extension> _
Public Shared Function GetBuild(assembly As Assembly) As String
	If assembly Is Nothing Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException()
	End If
	Dim assemblyName = assembly.GetName()
	Dim version = assemblyName.Version
	Return version.Build.ToString()
End Function

<System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Extension> _
Public Shared Function GetRevision(assembly As Assembly) As String
	If assembly Is Nothing Then
		Throw New ArgumentNullException()
	End If
	Dim assemblyName = assembly.GetName()
	Dim version = assemblyName.Version
	Return version.Revision.ToString()
End Function

How to get the Calling Assembly in C# or VB.NET

Administrator

June 1, 2014

2 Comments

To get the Calling Assembly in C# or VB.NET you can use Reflection.

Sample C#

using System.Reflection;

public static string GetCallingAssemblyName()
{
var callingAssembly = Assembly.GetCallingAssembly();
return callingAssembly.FullName;
}

Sample VB.NET

Imports System.Reflection

Public Shared Function GetCallingAssemblyName() As String
    Dim callingAssembly = Assembly.GetCallingAssembly()
    Return callingAssembly.FullName
End Function

for more informations see the MSDN: Reflection (C# and Visual Basic), Assembly.GetCallingAssembly Method

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How to get all types that implement a specific Interface in C# and VB.NET

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