C# Array.CreateInstance Method

Array.CreateInstance creates typed arrays.

It does not require the type to be known at compile-time. It is a factory method. When calling it we must specify the size of the target array.

Example. This program has two sections: in the first section, we create a single-dimensional array of integers. In the second, we create a two-dimensional array. To call Array.CreateInstance, you must pass a Type pointer as the first argument.

Tip: You could pass a variable reference of type "Type" instead of the typeof() operator result.

Type ClassTypeof Operator

So: To create a one-dimensional array, only pass one integer after the type. To create a two-dimensional array, pass two integers.

C# program that uses Array.CreateInstance method

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
	// [1] Create a one-dimensional array of integers.
	{
	    Array array = Array.CreateInstance(typeof(int), 10);
	    int[] values = (int[])array;
	    Console.WriteLine(values.Length);
	}
	// [2] Create a two-dimensional array of bools.
	{
	    Array array = Array.CreateInstance(typeof(bool), 10, 2);
	    bool[,] values = (bool[,])array;
	    values[0, 0] = true;
	    Console.WriteLine(values.GetLength(0));
	    Console.WriteLine(values.GetLength(1));
	}
    }
}

Output

10
10
2

Discussion. Why would you want to ever use the Array.CreateInstance method? Perhaps your program does not know the type of elements you want to create an array of at compile-time. You could pass any Type reference to the Array.CreateInstance.

And: This Type does not need to be statically determined (before execution) by the C# compiler.

Note: With newer versions of the C# language, generic types have alleviated this requirement.

Summary. Array.CreateInstance is a way to construct arrays in memory using parameters. You do not need to know at compile-time what type of array will be created. As a factory method, Array.CreateInstance returns the abstract base class Array.

IsAs

Related Links