Trivial C# class with a generic parameter wouldn't compile for no apparent reason

Question

I want a generic function that would work with types that have Top, Bottom, Right and Rect read-only properties - I have

Answer 1

C# generics are not templates; they are provided at runtime, not by compiler magic. As such, there is no duck-typing. Two options:

• use a where WhatType : ISomeInterface constraint, where ISomeInterface has a Left {get;}
• use dynamic (which provides duck-typing)

i.e.

internal class MyTemplate<WhatType> where WhatType : ISomeInterface {
    internal static void Work( WhatType what )
    {
        int left = what.Left;
    }
};
interface ISomeInterface {
    int Left { get; }
}

or:

internal class MyTemplate<WhatType> {
    internal static void Work( WhatType what )
    {
        int left = ((dynamic)what).Left;
    }
};