Why can't List = List?

Question

Why won\'t the following code work?

class parent {}
class kid:parent {}

List parents=new List;

It seems obvious t

Answer 1

If you know that the List contains List you can use an extension method to 'convert', (really just take the Parents that ARE of type child and return them in a list. eg something like:

  public static List Convert(this List input) {
      return input.OfType().ToList();
    }

Im not sure if this helps you, but my 2 cents worth! I use it quite alot.