how to use string variable as datatype name in C#

Question

I have a list of words:

List<string> listofwords;

public void list()
{
   listofwords = new List<string>();
   listofwords.Add("tackle");
   listofwords.Add("hinder");
   listofwords.Add("mentor");
}

Each word contains multiple data in it:

public List<string> tackle;
public List<string> hinder;
public List<string> mentor;

public void A()
{  
   mentor = new List<string>();
   mentor.Add("tern");
   mentor.Add("tome");
   mentor.Add("tone");

   tackle = new List<string>();
   tackle.Add("alce");
   tackle.Add("cake");
   tackle.Add("calk");
   tackle.Add("cate");
   tackle.Add("kale");
   tackle.Add("lace");

   hinder = new List<string>();
   hinder.Add("deni");
   hinder.Add("dine");
 }

In the button click event, I want to check a list. The list's name is stored in a string variable val:

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
   if (val.Contains(textBox1.Text )))
      val.Remove(textBox1.Text);
}

How do I use val to check the list?

List.Contains should work. Are you getting an error message? — Joey Gennari
– Joey Gennari, Commented Apr 19, 2013 at 19:50

Fls'Zen · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-19 19:55:37Z

6

Consider using a Dictionary for this problem. The key type should be String and the value type should be List<String>.

Your code would look something like this:

_listOfWords = new Dictionary<String, List<String>>();
_listOfWords.Add("mentor", new List<String>
                                    {
                                        "tern",
                                        "tome",
                                        "tone"
                                    });
_listOfWords.Add("tackle", new List<String>
                                    {
                                        "alce",
                                        "cake",
                                        // etc.
                                    });

You can then get the "data" for words from the dictionary. List<String> list = _listOfWords[val]; and do with it as you please.

edited Apr 19, 2013 at 19:55

answered Apr 19, 2013 at 19:49

Fls'Zen

4,6641 gold badge31 silver badges37 bronze badges

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

2 Comments

Brian Over a year ago

You really should consider giving a code sample detailing what your answer is. -1 until you do.

Brian Over a year ago

I didn't see it when I gave the down vote. +1 now that you added a code sample.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

how to use string variable as datatype name in C#

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related