Type.GetTypeFromHandle() Method in C#

The Type.GetTypeFromHandle() method in C# is used to get the Type object referenced by the specified RuntimeTypeHandle. This method is particularly useful when working with type handles obtained from reflection operations or when you need to convert a type handle back to its corresponding Type object.

Syntax

Following is the syntax −

public static Type GetTypeFromHandle(RuntimeTypeHandle handle);

Parameters

The method accepts the following parameter −

• handle − A RuntimeTypeHandle that refers to a specific type.

Return Value

Returns a Type object that represents the type referenced by the handle, or null if the handle is invalid.

Using GetTypeFromHandle() with Primitive Types

Example

using System;

public class Demo {
   public static void Main() {
      Type type1 = typeof(short);
      RuntimeTypeHandle typeHandle = Type.GetTypeHandle(type1);
      Type type = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(typeHandle);
      
      Console.WriteLine("Type Name: " + type.Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Full Name: " + type.FullName);
      Console.WriteLine("Attributes: " + type.Attributes);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Type Name: Int16
Full Name: System.Int16
Attributes: AutoLayout, AnsiClass, Class, Serializable, BeforeFieldInit

Using GetTypeFromHandle() with System Types

Example

using System;

public class Demo {
   public static void Main() {
      Type type1 = typeof(System.String);
      RuntimeTypeHandle typeHandle = Type.GetTypeHandle(type1);
      Type type = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(typeHandle);
      
      Console.WriteLine("Type Name: " + type.Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Is Value Type: " + type.IsValueType);
      Console.WriteLine("Is Class: " + type.IsClass);
      Console.WriteLine("Namespace: " + type.Namespace);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Type Name: String
Is Value Type: False
Is Class: True
Namespace: System

Using GetTypeFromHandle() with Custom Classes

Example

using System;

class Employee {
   public string Name { get; set; }
   public int Id { get; set; }
}

public class Demo {
   public static void Main() {
      Type employeeType = typeof(Employee);
      RuntimeTypeHandle handle = Type.GetTypeHandle(employeeType);
      Type retrievedType = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(handle);
      
      Console.WriteLine("Type Name: " + retrievedType.Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Assembly: " + retrievedType.Assembly.GetName().Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Methods Count: " + retrievedType.GetMethods().Length);
      Console.WriteLine("Properties Count: " + retrievedType.GetProperties().Length);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Type Name: Employee
Assembly: source
Methods Count: 9
Properties Count: 2

Common Use Cases

• Reflection scenarios where you have a RuntimeTypeHandle and need to access Type methods.

• Serialization and deserialization processes that work with type handles.

• Performance optimization when repeatedly accessing the same type information.

• Interoperability with unmanaged code that returns type handles.

Conclusion

The Type.GetTypeFromHandle() method provides a way to convert a RuntimeTypeHandle back to its corresponding Type object. This method is essential in reflection scenarios and enables access to all type information and metadata once you have a type handle.