C#
GetMethods and GetProperties
Learn to list methods and properties on a Type.
GetMethods and GetProperties
Type.GetMethods() lists the public methods of a type as MethodInfo[]. Type.GetProperties() lists the public properties as PropertyInfo[]. Each array holds the metadata of the member.
By default only public members are returned. With BindingFlags you can request non-public, static or instance members. These lists are the basis for dynamic method calls and property access via reflection.
BindingFlags
Calling GetMethods() without arguments returns only public members. To see non-public, static or inherited-excluded members, use BindingFlags: GetMethods(BindingFlags.NonPublic | BindingFlags.Instance).
Common flags: Public, NonPublic, Instance, Static, DeclaredOnly. DeclaredOnly excludes inherited members. Multiple flags are joined with |.
Exercise Print the property count of a class
Get the type of the Sample class below with Type t = typeof(Sample);. Call t.GetMethods() and t.GetProperties(). Print props.Length with Console.WriteLine.
Show example solution
Type t = typeof(Sample); MethodInfo[] methods = t.GetMethods(); PropertyInfo[] props = t.GetProperties(); Console.WriteLine(props.Length);
Example solution:
using System;
using System.Reflection;
class Sample
{
public string Name { get; set; }
public int Age { get; set; }
public void Hello() { }
}
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
Type t = typeof(Sample);
MethodInfo[] methods = t.GetMethods();
PropertyInfo[] props = t.GetProperties();
Console.WriteLine(props.Length);
}
}
Test yourself
-
Complete the GetMethods call
MethodInfo[] methods = typeof(string).____();
Show answer
MethodInfo[] methods = typeof(string).GetMethods();
-
Match the method to its return type
- GetMethods()
- MethodInfo[]
- GetProperties()
- PropertyInfo[]
- GetFields()
- FieldInfo[]
- GetConstructors()
- ConstructorInfo[]
-
What does GetMethods() return by default?
- All methods (including private)
- Only static methods
- Only void methods
- Only public methods
Show answer
Only public methods — Correct. GetMethods() returns only public methods by default.
Next lesson: Activator.CreateInstance
