.NET: Type.Parse not working?

Question

What am I doing wrong?

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Graphics;
using Box2D.XNA;
//...
Type.Parse("GameObjectModel");

Compilation error:

'System.Type' does not contain a definition for 'Parse'

I am trying to get the type of a class name from a string, so I can instantiate an instance of that class.

Answer 1

It looks like you're trying to get a type from a string, in that case I think you're after Type.GetType("GameObjectModel") see here for usage.

Answer 2

If you're trying to turn a string into a System.Type, perhaps the Assembly.GetType function is what you're looking for?

If you're trying to get an instance, you don't need a Type at all. Activator.CreateInstance has overloads that just take the string name of the type directly.

Answer 3

You should write typeof(GameObjectModel).

If "GameObjectModel" is a string known only at runtime, you should call Type.GetType.

To instantiate a class of a type known only at runtime, write the following:

object myInstance = Activator.CreateInstance(Type.GetType(typeName));

However, it will be slow and difficult to work with. (you'd need to use reflection or cast to a known base type or interface)
What are you trying to do?