Convert an object to string array at runtime

Question

I have a line in my code:

var objects = ExternalApiGetObjects(....);

At develop time I only know that ExternalApiGetObjects returns an Object instance. In fact, I'm sure that objects variable is an array of some type. I want to pass objects variable to String.Join method, but in runtime I got an exception similar to this: "Object of type 'System.Int32[]' cannot be converted to type 'System.String[]'."

In most cases, an objects will not be a string array. It could be an int array, or even an array of some user's type. I just know that objects is an array and I want to invoke ToString() on each item of that array to create a new one with type of string[].

How can I convert my objects to string[]?

Cast it? var newObjects = objects as string[]; If it is actually that type then it you are done. If not newObjects will be null. — Matt Rowland
– Matt Rowland, Commented Jun 8, 2016 at 22:34
Just loop through it? var objects = apiResult; foreach (var object in objects) {...} — Austin T French
– Austin T French, Commented Jun 8, 2016 at 22:44
In most cases, an objects will not be a string array. It could be an int array, or even an array of some user's type. I just know that objects is an array and I want to invoke ToString() on each item of that array to create a new one with type of string[] — Aleks Andreev
– Aleks Andreev, Commented Jun 8, 2016 at 22:48
Have you seen this question? Does it help at all? stackoverflow.com/questions/15586123/… — Bassie
– Bassie, Commented Jun 8, 2016 at 22:54

Reza Aghaei · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-08 23:10:56Z

5

OP: It could be an int array, or even an array of some user's type. I just know that objects is an array and I want to invoke ToString() on each item of that array to create a new one with type of string[]

You can cast it to IEnumerable, then using Cast<T> convert elements to object and then select elements. For example:

object o = new int[] { 1, 2, 3 };
var array = (o as IEnumerable).Cast<object>().Select(x => x.ToString()).ToArray();

edited Jun 8, 2016 at 23:10

answered Jun 8, 2016 at 22:55

Reza Aghaei

126k18 gold badges239 silver badges447 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

stuartd Over a year ago

I wish I was allowed to use a comment to say "very neat"

Reza Aghaei Over a year ago

@EvanL Read the quote.

Evan L Over a year ago

I stand corrected, ran a few samples of this myself. Forgot how magical the Cast<T>() method could be!

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Convert an object to string array at runtime

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related