c# use reflection to get a private member variable from a derived class

Question

I have the following structure:

abstract class Parent {}


class Child : Parent
{   
    // Member Variable that I want access to:
    OleDbCommand[] _comman         


        

Answer 1

// _commandCollection is an instance, private member
BindingFlags flags = BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic;

// Retrieve a FieldInfo instance corresponding to the field
FieldInfo field = GetType().GetField("_commandCollection", flags);

// Retrieve the value of the field, and cast as necessary
IDbCommand[] cc =(IDbCommand[])field.GetValue(this);

Array covariance should ensure that the cast is successful.

I assume some designer will be generating the subclasses? Otherwise, a protected property is probably what you're looking for.

Answer 2

It's possible, though it's a decidedly bad idea.

    var field = GetType().GetField("_commandCollection", BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic);

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I think what you really want to do is provide a method for the child classes to provide the parent with the required data:

protected abstract IEnumerable<IDBCommand> GetCommands();