c# - Return typed object from method -

is there way make function return type of object pass in? call 1 method below return type pass in. possible? should trying this? there better way...short of having 2 different methods?

currently, tried first 2 calls , (with first call) looks dictionary system.object[] in value part of dictionary. screen shot below might show better explanation. ask might have more types need deserialize , don't want have different method each.

var firsttry = this.deserialize(path, typeof(observablecollection<listitempair>();  var secondtry = this.deserialize(path, typeof(listitempair));  var thirdtry = this.deserialize(path, typeof(someotherobject));  public static object deserialize(string jsonfile, object type) {     var myobject = new object();      try     {         using (streamreader r = new streamreader(jsonfile))         {             var serializer = new javascriptserializer();              string json = r.readtoend();              myobject = serializer.deserialize<object>(json);         }     }     catch (exception ex)     {     }      return myobject ; }  public class listitempair {     public string name     {         get;          set;     }      public object value     {         get;          set;     } } 

object created:

yes, can create generic method. deserialize() method this:

public static t deserialize<t>(string jsonfile) {     t myobject = default(t);      try     {         using (var r = new streamreader(jsonfile))         {             var serializer = new javascriptserializer();             string json = r.readtoend();             myobject = serializer.deserialize<t>(json);         }     }     catch (exception ex)     {     }      return myobject; } 

in example t type parameter. when invoking method, can pass type this:

var firsttry = deserialize<observablecollection<listitempair>>(path); var secondtry = deserialize<listitempair>(path); var thirdtry = deserialize<someotherobject>(path); 

one side note: wouldn't recommend silently swallowing exception. in case, expected deserialization can fail. therefore, change trydeserialize() method:

public static bool trydeserialize<t>(string jsonfile, out t myobject) {     try     {         using (var r = new streamreader(jsonfile))         {             var serializer = new javascriptserializer();             string json = r.readtoend();             myobject = serializer.deserialize<t>(json);         }     }     catch (exception ex)     {         myobject = default(t);         return false;     }      return true; }