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c#attributesconstantsguid

C#: static Guid as argument of an attribute


How can I use a static Guid as argument in an attribute?

static class X
{
  public static readonly Guid XyId = new Guid("---");
}

[MyAttribute(X.XyId)] // does not work
public class myClass
{
}

It does not work because Guid must be readonly, it can not be const. The string and byte[] representation would also be readonly.

Is there any workaround for this?


Solution

  • It's not possible and never will be possible (barring significant changes to the .NET runtime), because [Attributes] are compiled as metadata and static variables are initialized at runtime, and of course the former cannot access the latter (except via Reflection).

    If the standard

    public const string MyGuid = "blah";
    

    won't work for you, then AFAIK the only way to achieve what you want, is with Reflection.