Is it possible to restrict a method to a specific namespace?

Question

I've got a class named NetworkDevice within the namespace Classes.Device and a method:

private void DisplayDeviceDetails<T>(T device)
{
    throw new NotImplementedException();
}

If I got that right, I may restrict the Type of T like so:

private void DisplayDeviceDetails<T>(T device) where T : Classes.Device.NetworkDevice
{
    throw new NotImplementedException();
}

Because I may add other devices in the future I'm wondering if there is a way to expand this behaviour to the namespace Classes.Devices like "where T : Classes.Devices"? Or is creating a Baseclass "Device" the way to go?

I couldn't find anything else besides removing the constraint and checking inside the method itself via

object.OriginElement.GetType().Namespace

Other information was 5+ years old.

Thanks guys!

Answer 1

you can create a base class DeviceBase within the Classes.Devices namespace:

namespace Classes.Devices
{
    public abstract class DeviceBase
    {
        // Codes...
    }
}

Then, modify your method to accept only types derived from DeviceBase:

private void DisplayDeviceDetails<T>(T device) where T : Classes.Devices.DeviceBase
{
    throw new NotImplementedException();
}

This way, any class within the Classes.Devices namespace that inherits from DeviceBase can be passed to the DisplayDeviceDetails method.

• Alternatively, you can use interfaces if you prefer a more flexible approach.