Secondary constraints

1. What are the secondary constraints?

2. What does type parameter constraint (naked type constraint mean)?

The C# allows using interfaces as type constraints; therefore for instantiation we must use specific interfaces or classes that implement this interface.

The C# allows us to specify constraints by another type constraint.  When we need to enforce relationship between two type parameters we can use the naked type constraints.

Example 1:

       private static List<T> ConstrainedByInterfaceMethod<T>() where T : IComparable{

            return null;

        }

        private static List<TBase> ConvertedList<TBase, T>(IList<T> param) where T : TBase{

            List<TBase> resList = new List<TBase>(param.Count);

 

            for (int i = 0; i < param.Count; i++ )

                resList.Add(param[i]);

 

            return resList;

        }

 

        static void Main(string[] args)

        {

            List<string> stringList = new List<string>();

 

            IList<object> correct = ConvertedList<object, string>(stringList);

 

            //The type ‘string’ cannot be used as type parameter ‘T’ in the generic type or method

            //’SecondaryConstraints.Program.ConvertedList<TBase,T>(System.Collections.Generic.IList<T>)’.

            //There is no implicit reference conversion from ‘string’ to ‘System.Exception’.

            IList<Exception> incorrect = ConvertedList<Exception, string>(stringList);

        }