How to force user to enter value of a method parameter in one of two types without overloading

Question

I'm working on a C# project, I have this method

    private static Encryption_Model Enc(byte[] PlainData,byte[] Key)
    {

        //Some logic code here

    }

the parameter Key I want user to enter it in one of two types byte[] or int .

Is there any way to force user to enter the Key parameter in one of two types byte[] or int without using overloading ?

Massive thanks in advance.

Answer 1

No, overloads are meant for this. Why don't you want that?

Sure, you could add two default parameters and throw if neither or both are provided:

private static Encryption_Model Enc(byte[] plainData, byte[] keyBytes = null, int? keyInt = null)
{
    if ((keyBytes == null && keyInt == null) 
        || (keyBytes != null && keyInt != null))
    {
        throw new ArgumentException("Provide either keyBytes or keyInt");
    }
}

But that's just nasty, as now your method has to go and figure out which parameter is provided and how to use either, and it doesn't give compile-time safety. This does:

private static Encryption_Model Enc(byte[] plainData, int key)
{
    var keyBytes = GetBytesFromInt(key); // Probably BitConverter.GetBytes()
    return Enc(plainData, keyBytes);
}

private static Encryption_Model Enc(byte[] plainData, byte[] key)
{
    // ...
}