How Can I Programmatically Set Default Values for Different Data Types in C#?

Efficiently Setting Default Values in C#

Assigning default values to different data types is a frequent coding task, especially when using reflection to iterate through object properties. While a switch statement can achieve this, it's cumbersome and requires extensive coding. A more efficient programmatic approach exists.

This method leverages the Activator.CreateInstance() method to dynamically determine and set default values. The following concise function elegantly handles both value and reference types:

<code class="language-csharp">public static object GetDefaultValue(Type type)
{
    return type.GetTypeInfo().IsValueType ? Activator.CreateInstance(type) : null;
}</code>

For value types, Activator.CreateInstance() instantiates a new object, providing its default value. For reference types, null is returned, representing the default value for references. This single line replaces the need for lengthy switch statements, significantly simplifying the process of default value assignment within reflection-based operations.

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