Converting System.Collections to System.Collections.Generic

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Converting System.Collections to System.Collections.Generic

I believe the following is the fastest way to convert a non-typed list to a strongly typed (generic) list using C# .NET:

public List ConvertToGenericList(IList listOfObjects) {
ArrayList notStronglyTypedList = new ArrayList(listOfObjects);
return new List(notStronglyTypedList.ToArray(typeof(T)) as T[]);
}

Note that this will fail if the non-typed collection contains anything that cannot be casted to type of T.

Please let me know if there's a more efficient way to do this!

Billy

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Print posted @ Monday, July 10, 2006 1:55 PM

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# re: Converting System.Collections to System.Collections.Generic

Thanks! That's exactly why I post my ideas...so I can hear about better ideas. ;)

Billy 7/11/2006 7:43 AM | Billy

# re: Converting System.Collections to System.Collections.Generic

I've been using http://www.codeproject.com/dotnet/dynamiclistsorting.asp for sorting all my generics...very useful utility.

Billy 7/11/2006 11:15 AM | Billy

# re: Converting System.Collections to System.Collections.Generic

How would you convert the following to vb:

return new List(notStronglyTypedList.ToArray(typeof(T)) as T[]);

4/10/2007 8:03 AM | newbee

# re: Converting System.Collections to System.Collections.Generic

Since I have hardly any experience with VB.NET, I won't be able to provide an answer to this myself. 4/10/2007 8:09 AM | Billy McCafferty

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