Working with C# Anonymous Types

Answer 1

If you have a method like this:

  List<object> GetContactInfo() {
    List<object> list = new List<object>();
    foreach ( Contact c in allContacts ) { 
        list.Add( new { 
            ContactID = c.ContactID, 
            FullName = c.FullName 
        }); 
    } 
    return list;
  }

You shouldn't really do this, but there's a very ugly and not future-proof technique that you can use:

  static T CastByExample<T>(object target, T example) {
    return (T)target;
  } 

  // .....

  var example = new { ContactID = 0, FullName = "" };
  foreach (var o in GetContactInfo()) {
    var c = CastByExample(o, example);
    Console.WriteLine(c.ContactID);
  }

It relies on the fact (which can change!) that the compiler reuses anonymous types for types that have the same "shape" (properties names and types). Since your "example" matches the "shape" of the type in the method, the same type is reused.

Dynamic variables in C# 4 are the best way to solve this though.

Answer 2

I know I'm late to the party but I researching somthing else and found this article which answers your question.

It is possible to cast the list of objects back into the anonymous type.

    public static void Main()
    {
        foreach (object item in GetList())
        {
            var x = Cast(item, new { ContactID = 0, FullName = "" });
            Console.WriteLine(x.ContactID + " " + x.FullName);
        }

    }

    public static IEnumerable<object> GetList()
    {
        yield return new { ContactID = 4, FullName = "Jack Smith" };
        yield return new { ContactID = 5, FullName = "John Doe" };
    }

    public static T Cast<T>(object obj, T type)
    {
        return (T)obj;
    }