How Can I Constrain Generic Methods to Specific Numeric Types in .NET?

Restricting Generic Methods to Specific Numeric Types in .NET

This article addresses the challenge of limiting generic method type arguments to specific numeric types in .NET, such as Int16, Int32, Int64, UInt16, UInt32, and UInt64.

Modern .NET (7 and later):

.NET 7 introduces the INumber<T> interface, encompassing all numeric types. For integer types specifically, use IBinaryInteger<T>. This provides a concise solution:

static bool IsPositiveInteger<T>(T value) where T : IBinaryInteger<T>
{
    return value > T.Zero;
}

Older .NET Versions (Pre-.NET 7):

Prior to .NET 7, direct constraints to specific numeric types weren't available. Workarounds include:

1. Factory Pattern:

Employ a factory to create instances of a custom calculator class. This calculator would handle the specific numeric type operations, offering flexibility for different types.

2. Policy-Based Approach:

Define policy classes implementing a common interface. The generic method accepts a policy instance as a parameter, enabling instantiation with various numeric types. This approach promotes cleaner separation of concerns.

This revised explanation maintains the original information while improving clarity and flow.

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