Binaryworld - GetField - Retrieving the value of a public field via reflection ... [ VB.net -> Classes & Objects ]

' Return the value of the public field with the specified name,
' defined inside the obj object
' Note: requires Imports System.Reflection
'
' Example:
' Public TestField As String = "hello"
' ...
' MessageBox.Show(GetField(Me, "TestField", ""))

Function GetField(ByVal obj As Object, ByVal fieldName As String, _
  ByVal defaultValue As Object) As Object
  Try
    ' try with a field first
    Dim fi As FieldInfo = obj.GetType().GetField(fieldName, _
      BindingFlags.Instance Or BindingFlags.Public Or _
      BindingFlags.NonPublic)
    If Not fi Is Nothing Then
      Return fi.GetValue(obj)
    End If
    ' else, try with a property (VB implements many form fields as
    ' properties)
    Dim pi As PropertyInfo = obj.GetType().GetProperty(fieldName, _
      BindingFlags.Instance Or BindingFlags.Public Or _
      BindingFlags.NonPublic)
    If Not pi Is Nothing Then
      Return pi.GetValue(obj, Nothing)
    End If
  Catch
  End Try

  ' if property doesn't exist or throws
  Return defaultValue
End Function