How to return an anonymoust type list

Question

Hi all,

it's possible to return, from a method, an anonymous type list?

I build my list of anonymoust type like this var l = (new[] { new { Name = "thename", Age = 30 } }).ToList();

Thanks

Answer 1

It is possible if you return list that was cast to object, but it is useless. Consider creating class with corresponding fields instead of anonymous class.

Answer 2

It is possible, at a pinch, it's rather humourously called 'mumbling'.

This involves passing in a prototype of your anonymous type as a generic variable. Remembering that two anonymous types are considered to be the same type if they have the same named/typed properties in the same order.

• First usage by Wes Dyer (I believe).
• Eric Lippert on an answer to a question of which yours is probably a duplicate.
• Mentioned, with preferred alternatives by Dustin Campbell

Answer 3

I have write this method: List Cast(object o, T type) { return (List)o; }

and the method that should return a anonnymous type list, now return an object and i cast, with Cast method, to what i need.

it is a tricky method, but is does what i need for now.

thanks to all

Answer 4

Working with C# Anonymous Types

This is what you need