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Dynamic Variable Assignment in C#

I am reading settings from a XML file:
<settings>
<setting1>value1</setting1>
<setting2>value2</setting2>
</settings>

What I want is to read the XML file and crete dinamically variables with the XML element name.

In the end I should have a variable called "setting1" with value "value1", another variable called "setting2" with value "value2". If I execute Console.WriteLine(setting2) it should output "value1".

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

AlexFM

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cookre

AlexFM is spot on with hash table.

devsolns

It sounds like what you want already exists. In 2.0 when you add elements to the *.settings file it dynamically allows you to access your settings through properties. so,

If I add two values to my settings file. BTW, they are type safe.

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<SettingsFile xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/2004/01/settings" CurrentProfile="(Default)" GeneratedClassNamespace="JUNK__ConsoleApplication1.Properties" GeneratedClassName="Settings">
<Profiles />
<Settings>
<Setting Name="MyName" Type="System.String" Scope="User">
<Value Profile="(Default)">gary</Value>
</Setting>
<Setting Name="MyBirthday" Type="System.DateTime" Scope="User">
<Value Profile="(Default)">1982-02-01</Value>
</Setting>
</Settings>
</SettingsFile>

I can immediatly access them in code like this,

string name = Properties.Settings.Default.MyName;
DateTime birthDay = Properties.Settings.Default.MyBirthday;

The underlying code gened looks like,,

[global::System.Runtime.CompilerServices.CompilerGeneratedAttribute()]
[global::System.CodeDom.Compiler.GeneratedCodeAttribute("Microsoft.VisualStudio.Editors.SettingsDesigner.SettingsSingleFileGenerator", "8.0.0.0")]
internal sealed partial class Settings : global::System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase {

private static Settings defaultInstance = ((Settings)(global::System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.Synchronized(new Settings())));

public static Settings Default {
get {
return defaultInstance;
}
}

[global::System.Configuration.UserScopedSettingAttribute()]
[global::System.Diagnostics.DebuggerNonUserCodeAttribute()]
[global::System.Configuration.DefaultSettingValueAttribute("gary")]
public string MyName {
get {
return ((string)(this["MyName"]));
}
set {
this["MyName"] = value;
}
}

[global::System.Configuration.UserScopedSettingAttribute()]
[global::System.Diagnostics.DebuggerNonUserCodeAttribute()]
[global::System.Configuration.DefaultSettingValueAttribute("1982-02-01")]
public global::System.DateTime MyBirthday {
get {
return ((global::System.DateTime)(this["MyBirthday"]));
}
set {
this["MyBirthday"] = value;
}
}
}

gp

hugoduraes

ASKER

devsolns: And how can I create or add elements to the *.settings file?

devsolns

If a settings file does not already exist in your project then add new item->settings file. When you double click it will open up a grid for easy entry of items. You can also choose to open it in normal xml view if you'd like.

devsolns

You didnt specify a requirment to generate this at runtime. To generate a class at runtime is certainly possible using either Codedom or EMIT but may add a lot of complexity where there shouldnt be.

hugoduraes

ASKER

Ok... I'm beggining to like this solution! ;)

Just one more question... can I change settings value? I have to allow users to change these settings values...

devsolns

If you change the "value" then you will need to recompile! Yeah that is probably the biggest limitation.

hugoduraes

ASKER

I'll have to stick with hashtables then...

Thanks ;)

devsolns

dont agree, next step was ConfigurationManager which is better than hash table but o'well.

hugoduraes

ASKER

With ConfigurationManager can I change configuration values during runtime? Or do I need to recompile?

devsolns

You can change them at runtime.