Filling Array with Custom Defined Type in C#

Question

When attempt to fill an array in C# with my custom type class, the array populates with the class's location in the namespace. However, I need the array to populate with the values I specified with that type.

I have tried defining my array using each of these implementations with the same results:

List<FieldName> fieldNames = new List<FieldName>() { "event_ref", "user_id", "sys_time" };

FieldName[] fieldNames = { "event_ref", "user_id", "sys_time" };

In both cases the values that get implemented in the lower function calls (nothing fancy) is ElectronicSJP.DatabaseIF.FieldName for all three of the fields.

Upon setting a breakpoint, I can see that fieldNames is populated as so:

The values that I specified are at the next level down, if that table is expanded. My class for FieldName is defined as such:

class FieldName
{
    private string name = "";
    public static implicit operator string(FieldName fn)
    {
        return (fn == null) ? null : fn.name;
    }
    public static implicit operator FieldName(string fn)
    {
        return new FieldName { name = fn };
    }
}

I suspect that I may need to add another implicit operator, or two, so I could use some help with that or any other ideas you think could fix this problem. Thanks.

I'm sort of lost - you want it to populate the array with strings, not FieldNames? — Adam V
– Adam V, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 16:21
implement toString in your object with the string you'd like to see in your intellisense debugger. — Jeremy
– Jeremy, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 16:26
@Jeremy - alternately, you can use the DebuggerDisplay attribute. — Adam V
– Adam V, Commented Jun 1, 2016 at 16:28

Jeremy · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-01 17:52:50Z

2

When the debugger shows an object, or list of objects, it will show the type rather than a particular field.

In order to see a "user friendly value", one can either override the toString method that exists on the Object class, or you can decorate the property you want shown with the DebuggerDisplay Attribute (credit to Adam V up above in the comments!)

example:

 public override string ToString()
    {
        return name;
    }

Link to how to override a method. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms173154.aspx

answered Jun 1, 2016 at 17:52

Jeremy

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