Swift Get Generic Type of Array

Question

I need to get the generic type of an array.

I have an object that is an Array<Decodable>, but I am not guaranteed that the generic type is always Decodable. I know I can get the type of the thing by saying array.self.dynamicType to get the Array.Type, but I need something like array.generic.self.dynamicType to get Decodable.Type. How would I do this?

How did you get only Array.Type to print? print([1, 2, 3].dynamicType) yields Array<Int>, not just Array. If you expect quality answers, you'll have to give use a more concrete, minimal, complete, and verifiable example. — Alexander
– Alexander, Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 16:32
@AlexanderMomchliov Yeah it does give Array<Int>, but that is of Array.Type. Should have clarified better. That seems irrelevant though, given that I don't care about that piece. I just want the generic type. — steventnorris
– steventnorris, Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 16:35

Alexander · Accepted Answer · 2016-09-28 17:20:05Z

1

You can extend Array with a computed property that exposes its generic type parameter Element:

extension Array {
    var ElementType: Element.Type {
        return Element.self
    }
}

print([1, 2, 3].dynamicType) //Array<Int>
print([1, 2, 3].ElementType) //Int

edited Sep 28, 2016 at 17:20

answered Sep 28, 2016 at 16:28

Alexander

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3 Comments

steventnorris Over a year ago

I'll give this a shot. Looks like it could do what I need.

Alexander Over a year ago

It certainly works, but I'm still searching for a better way

steventnorris Over a year ago

Ran into a issue with casting too, which I kind of have to do. If you've got thoughts I'd appreciate them. Posted a new questions, since technically this answer this questions just fine. stackoverflow.com/questions/39753881/…

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