How to: Implement an Expression Tree Visitor

The code example in this topic is an implementation of an expression tree visitor. This class is designed to be inherited to create more specialized classes whose functionality requires traversing, examining or copying an expression tree.

The following topics use this class:

Both of these topics contain code that creates a specialized visitor subclass of the expression tree visitor base class presented in this topic.

Example

In this expression tree visitor implementation, the Visit method, which should be called first, dispatches the expression it is passed to one of the more specialized visitor methods in the class, based on the type of the expression. The specialized visitor methods visit the sub-tree of the expression they are passed. If a sub-expression changes after it has been visited, for example by an overriding method in a derived class, the specialized visitor methods create a new expression that includes the changes in the sub-tree. Otherwise, they return the expression that they were passed. This recursive behavior enables a new expression tree to be built that either is the same as or a modified version of the original expression that was passed to Visit.

Public MustInherit Class ExpressionVisitor

    Protected Sub New()
    End Sub 

    Protected Overridable Function Visit(ByVal exp As Expression) As Expression
        If exp Is Nothing Then 
            Return exp
        End If 

        Select Case exp.NodeType
            Case ExpressionType.Negate, _
                 ExpressionType.NegateChecked, _
                 ExpressionType.Not, _
                 ExpressionType.Convert, _
                 ExpressionType.ConvertChecked, _
                 ExpressionType.ArrayLength, _
                 ExpressionType.Quote, _
                 ExpressionType.TypeAs
                Return Me.VisitUnary(CType(exp, UnaryExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Add, _
                 ExpressionType.AddChecked, _
                 ExpressionType.Subtract, _
                 ExpressionType.SubtractChecked, _
                 ExpressionType.Multiply, _
                 ExpressionType.MultiplyChecked, _
                 ExpressionType.Divide, _
                 ExpressionType.Modulo, _
                 ExpressionType.And, _
                 ExpressionType.AndAlso, _
                 ExpressionType.Or, _
                 ExpressionType.OrElse, _
                 ExpressionType.LessThan, _
                 ExpressionType.LessThanOrEqual, _
                 ExpressionType.GreaterThan, _
                 ExpressionType.GreaterThanOrEqual, _
                 ExpressionType.Equal, _
                 ExpressionType.NotEqual, _
                 ExpressionType.Coalesce, _
                 ExpressionType.ArrayIndex, _
                 ExpressionType.RightShift, _
                 ExpressionType.LeftShift, _
                 ExpressionType.ExclusiveOr
                Return Me.VisitBinary(CType(exp, BinaryExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.TypeIs
                Return Me.VisitTypeIs(CType(exp, TypeBinaryExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Conditional
                Return Me.VisitConditional(CType(exp, ConditionalExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Constant
                Return Me.VisitConstant(CType(exp, ConstantExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Parameter
                Return Me.VisitParameter(CType(exp, ParameterExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.MemberAccess
                Return Me.VisitMemberAccess(CType(exp, MemberExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Call 
                Return Me.VisitMethodCall(CType(exp, MethodCallExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Lambda
                Return Me.VisitLambda(CType(exp, LambdaExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.New 
                Return Me.VisitNew(CType(exp, NewExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.NewArrayInit, _
                 ExpressionType.NewArrayBounds
                Return Me.VisitNewArray(CType(exp, NewArrayExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.Invoke
                Return Me.VisitInvocation(CType(exp, InvocationExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.MemberInit
                Return Me.VisitMemberInit(CType(exp, MemberInitExpression))
            Case ExpressionType.ListInit
                Return Me.VisitListInit(CType(exp, ListInitExpression))
            Case Else 
                Throw New Exception("Unhandled expression type: '" & exp.NodeType & "'")
        End Select 
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitBinding(ByVal binding As MemberBinding) As MemberBinding
        Select Case binding.BindingType
            Case MemberBindingType.Assignment
                Return Me.VisitMemberAssignment(CType(binding, MemberAssignment))
            Case MemberBindingType.MemberBinding
                Return Me.VisitMemberMemberBinding(CType(binding, MemberMemberBinding))
            Case MemberBindingType.ListBinding
                Return Me.VisitMemberListBinding(CType(binding, MemberListBinding))
            Case Else 
                Throw New Exception("Unhandled binding type '" & binding.BindingType & "'")
        End Select 
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitElementInitializer(ByVal initializer As ElementInit) _
        As ElementInit

        Dim arguments = Me.VisitExpressionList(initializer.Arguments)

        If arguments IsNot initializer.Arguments Then 
            Return Expression.ElementInit(initializer.AddMethod, arguments)
        End If 

        Return initializer
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitUnary(ByVal u As UnaryExpression) As Expression
        Dim operand = Me.Visit(u.Operand)

        If operand IsNot u.Operand Then 
            Return Expression.MakeUnary(u.NodeType, operand, u.Type, u.Method)
        End If 

        Return u
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitBinary(ByVal b As BinaryExpression) As Expression
        Dim left = Me.Visit(b.Left)
        Dim right = Me.Visit(b.Right)
        Dim conversion = Me.Visit(b.Conversion)

        If left IsNot b.Left Or right IsNot b.Right Or conversion IsNot b.Conversion Then 

            If b.NodeType = ExpressionType.Coalesce And b.Conversion IsNot Nothing Then 
                Return Expression.Coalesce(left, right, _
                                           TryCast(conversion, LambdaExpression))
            Else 
                Return Expression.MakeBinary(b.NodeType, left, right, _
                                             b.IsLiftedToNull, b.Method)
            End If 
        End If 

        Return b
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitTypeIs(ByVal b As TypeBinaryExpression) As Expression
        Dim expr = Me.Visit(b.Expression)

        If expr IsNot b.Expression Then 
            Return Expression.TypeIs(expr, b.TypeOperand)
        End If 

        Return b
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitConstant(ByVal c As ConstantExpression) As Expression
        Return c
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitConditional(ByVal c As ConditionalExpression) As Expression
        Dim test = Me.Visit(c.Test)
        Dim ifTrue = Me.Visit(c.IfTrue)
        Dim ifFalse = Me.Visit(c.IfFalse)

        If test IsNot c.Test Or ifTrue IsNot c.IfTrue Or ifFalse IsNot c.IfFalse Then 
            Return Expression.Condition(test, ifTrue, ifFalse)
        End If 

        Return c
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitParameter(ByVal p As ParameterExpression) As Expression
        Return p
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitMemberAccess(ByVal m As MemberExpression) As Expression
        Dim exp = Me.Visit(m.Expression)

        If exp IsNot m.Expression Then 
            Return Expression.MakeMemberAccess(exp, m.Member)
        End If 

        Return m
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitMethodCall(ByVal m As MethodCallExpression) As Expression
        Dim obj = Me.Visit(m.Object)
        Dim args = Me.VisitExpressionList(m.Arguments)

        If obj IsNot m.Object Or args IsNot m.Arguments Then 
            Return Expression.Call(obj, m.Method, args)
        End If 

        Return m
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitExpressionList( _
        ByVal original As ReadOnlyCollection(Of Expression)) As ReadOnlyCollection(Of Expression)

        Dim list As List(Of Expression) = Nothing 
        Dim n = original.Count

        For i = 0 To n - 1
            Dim p = Me.Visit(original(i))

            If list IsNot Nothing Then
                list.Add(p)
            ElseIf p IsNot original(i) Then
                list = New List(Of Expression)(n)

                For j = 0 To i - 1
                    list.Add(original(j))
                Next j
                list.Add(p)
            End If 
        Next i

        If list IsNot Nothing Then 
            Return list.AsReadOnly()
        End If 

        Return original
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitMemberAssignment(ByVal assignment As MemberAssignment) _
        As MemberAssignment

        Dim e = Me.Visit(assignment.Expression)

        If e IsNot assignment.Expression Then 
            Return Expression.Bind(assignment.Member, e)
        End If 

        Return assignment
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitMemberMemberBinding(ByVal binding As MemberMemberBinding) _
        As MemberMemberBinding

        Dim bindings = Me.VisitBindingList(binding.Bindings)

        If bindings IsNot binding.Bindings Then 
            Return Expression.MemberBind(binding.Member, bindings)
        End If 

        Return binding
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitMemberListBinding(ByVal binding As MemberListBinding) _
        As MemberListBinding

        Dim initializers = Me.VisitElementInitializerList(binding.Initializers)

        If initializers IsNot binding.Initializers Then 
            Return Expression.ListBind(binding.Member, initializers)
        End If 

        Return binding
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitBindingList( _
        ByVal original As ReadOnlyCollection(Of MemberBinding)) As IEnumerable(Of MemberBinding)

        Dim list As List(Of MemberBinding) = Nothing 
        Dim n = original.Count

        For i = 0 To n - 1
            Dim b = Me.VisitBinding(original(i))

            If list IsNot Nothing Then
                list.Add(b)
            ElseIf b IsNot original(i) Then
                list = New List(Of MemberBinding)(n)
                For j = 0 To i - 1
                    list.Add(original(j))
                Next j
                list.Add(b)
            End If 

        Next i

        If list IsNot Nothing Then 
            Return list
        End If 

        Return original
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitElementInitializerList( _
        ByVal original As ReadOnlyCollection(Of ElementInit)) As IEnumerable(Of ElementInit)

        Dim list As List(Of ElementInit) = Nothing 
        Dim n = original.Count

        For i = 0 To n - 1
            Dim init = Me.VisitElementInitializer(original(i))
            If list IsNot Nothing Then
                list.Add(init)
            ElseIf init IsNot original(i) Then
                list = New List(Of ElementInit)(n)
                For j = 0 To i - 1
                    list.Add(original(j))
                Next j
                list.Add(init)
            End If 
        Next i

        If list IsNot Nothing Then 
            Return list
        End If 

        Return original
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitLambda(ByVal lambda As LambdaExpression) As Expression
        Dim body = Me.Visit(lambda.Body)

        If body IsNot lambda.Body Then 
            Return Expression.Lambda(lambda.Type, body, lambda.Parameters)
        End If 
        Return lambda
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitNew(ByVal nex As NewExpression) As NewExpression
        Dim args = Me.VisitExpressionList(nex.Arguments)

        If args IsNot nex.Arguments Then 
            If nex.Members IsNot Nothing Then 
                Return Expression.[New](nex.Constructor, args, nex.Members)
            Else 
                Return Expression.[New](nex.Constructor, args)
            End If 
        End If 

        Return nex
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitMemberInit(ByVal init As MemberInitExpression) As Expression
        Dim n = Me.VisitNew(init.NewExpression)
        Dim bindings = Me.VisitBindingList(init.Bindings)

        If n IsNot init.NewExpression Or bindings IsNot init.Bindings Then 
            Return Expression.MemberInit(n, bindings)
        End If 

        Return init
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitListInit(ByVal init As ListInitExpression) As Expression
        Dim n = Me.VisitNew(init.NewExpression)
        Dim initializers = Me.VisitElementInitializerList(init.Initializers)

        If n IsNot init.NewExpression Or initializers IsNot init.Initializers Then 
            Return Expression.ListInit(n, initializers)
        End If 

        Return init
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitNewArray(ByVal na As NewArrayExpression) As Expression
        Dim exprs = Me.VisitExpressionList(na.Expressions)
        If exprs IsNot na.Expressions Then 
            If na.NodeType = ExpressionType.NewArrayInit Then 
                Return Expression.NewArrayInit(na.Type.GetElementType(), exprs)
            Else 
                Return Expression.NewArrayBounds(na.Type.GetElementType(), exprs)
            End If 
        End If 

        Return na
    End Function 

    Protected Overridable Function VisitInvocation(ByVal iv As InvocationExpression) As Expression
        Dim args = Me.VisitExpressionList(iv.Arguments)
        Dim expr = Me.Visit(iv.Expression)

        If args IsNot iv.Arguments Or expr IsNot iv.Expression Then 
            Return Expression.Invoke(expr, args)
        End If 

        Return iv
    End Function 
End Class
public abstract class ExpressionVisitor
{
    protected ExpressionVisitor()
    {
    }

    protected virtual Expression Visit(Expression exp)
    {
        if (exp == null)
            return exp;
        switch (exp.NodeType)
        {
            case ExpressionType.Negate:
            case ExpressionType.NegateChecked:
            case ExpressionType.Not:
            case ExpressionType.Convert:
            case ExpressionType.ConvertChecked:
            case ExpressionType.ArrayLength:
            case ExpressionType.Quote:
            case ExpressionType.TypeAs:
                return this.VisitUnary((UnaryExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Add:
            case ExpressionType.AddChecked:
            case ExpressionType.Subtract:
            case ExpressionType.SubtractChecked:
            case ExpressionType.Multiply:
            case ExpressionType.MultiplyChecked:
            case ExpressionType.Divide:
            case ExpressionType.Modulo:
            case ExpressionType.And:
            case ExpressionType.AndAlso:
            case ExpressionType.Or:
            case ExpressionType.OrElse:
            case ExpressionType.LessThan:
            case ExpressionType.LessThanOrEqual:
            case ExpressionType.GreaterThan:
            case ExpressionType.GreaterThanOrEqual:
            case ExpressionType.Equal:
            case ExpressionType.NotEqual:
            case ExpressionType.Coalesce:
            case ExpressionType.ArrayIndex:
            case ExpressionType.RightShift:
            case ExpressionType.LeftShift:
            case ExpressionType.ExclusiveOr:
                return this.VisitBinary((BinaryExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.TypeIs:
                return this.VisitTypeIs((TypeBinaryExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Conditional:
                return this.VisitConditional((ConditionalExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Constant:
                return this.VisitConstant((ConstantExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Parameter:
                return this.VisitParameter((ParameterExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.MemberAccess:
                return this.VisitMemberAccess((MemberExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Call:
                return this.VisitMethodCall((MethodCallExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Lambda:
                return this.VisitLambda((LambdaExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.New:
                return this.VisitNew((NewExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.NewArrayInit:
            case ExpressionType.NewArrayBounds:
                return this.VisitNewArray((NewArrayExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.Invoke:
                return this.VisitInvocation((InvocationExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.MemberInit:
                return this.VisitMemberInit((MemberInitExpression)exp);
            case ExpressionType.ListInit:
                return this.VisitListInit((ListInitExpression)exp);
            default:
                throw new Exception(string.Format("Unhandled expression type: '{0}'", exp.NodeType));
        }
    }

    protected virtual MemberBinding VisitBinding(MemberBinding binding)
    {
        switch (binding.BindingType)
        {
            case MemberBindingType.Assignment:
                return this.VisitMemberAssignment((MemberAssignment)binding);
            case MemberBindingType.MemberBinding:
                return this.VisitMemberMemberBinding((MemberMemberBinding)binding);
            case MemberBindingType.ListBinding:
                return this.VisitMemberListBinding((MemberListBinding)binding);
            default:
                throw new Exception(string.Format("Unhandled binding type '{0}'", binding.BindingType));
        }
    }

    protected virtual ElementInit VisitElementInitializer(ElementInit initializer)
    {
        ReadOnlyCollection<Expression> arguments = this.VisitExpressionList(initializer.Arguments);
        if (arguments != initializer.Arguments)
        {
            return Expression.ElementInit(initializer.AddMethod, arguments);
        }
        return initializer;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitUnary(UnaryExpression u)
    {
        Expression operand = this.Visit(u.Operand);
        if (operand != u.Operand)
        {
            return Expression.MakeUnary(u.NodeType, operand, u.Type, u.Method);
        }
        return u;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitBinary(BinaryExpression b)
    {
        Expression left = this.Visit(b.Left);
        Expression right = this.Visit(b.Right);
        Expression conversion = this.Visit(b.Conversion);
        if (left != b.Left || right != b.Right || conversion != b.Conversion)
        {
            if (b.NodeType == ExpressionType.Coalesce && b.Conversion != null)
                return Expression.Coalesce(left, right, conversion as LambdaExpression);
            else 
                return Expression.MakeBinary(b.NodeType, left, right, b.IsLiftedToNull, b.Method);
        }
        return b;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitTypeIs(TypeBinaryExpression b)
    {
        Expression expr = this.Visit(b.Expression);
        if (expr != b.Expression)
        {
            return Expression.TypeIs(expr, b.TypeOperand);
        }
        return b;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitConstant(ConstantExpression c)
    {
        return c;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitConditional(ConditionalExpression c)
    {
        Expression test = this.Visit(c.Test);
        Expression ifTrue = this.Visit(c.IfTrue);
        Expression ifFalse = this.Visit(c.IfFalse);
        if (test != c.Test || ifTrue != c.IfTrue || ifFalse != c.IfFalse)
        {
            return Expression.Condition(test, ifTrue, ifFalse);
        }
        return c;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitParameter(ParameterExpression p)
    {
        return p;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitMemberAccess(MemberExpression m)
    {
        Expression exp = this.Visit(m.Expression);
        if (exp != m.Expression)
        {
            return Expression.MakeMemberAccess(exp, m.Member);
        }
        return m;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitMethodCall(MethodCallExpression m)
    {
        Expression obj = this.Visit(m.Object);
        IEnumerable<Expression> args = this.VisitExpressionList(m.Arguments);
        if (obj != m.Object || args != m.Arguments)
        {
            return Expression.Call(obj, m.Method, args);
        }
        return m;
    }

    protected virtual ReadOnlyCollection<Expression> VisitExpressionList(ReadOnlyCollection<Expression> original)
    {
        List<Expression> list = null;
        for (int i = 0, n = original.Count; i < n; i+)
        {
            Expression p = this.Visit(original[i]);
            if (list != null)
            {
                list.Add(p);
            }
            else if (p != original[i])
            {
                list = new List<Expression>(n);
                for (int j = 0; j < i; j+)
                {
                    list.Add(original[j]);
                }
                list.Add(p);
            }
        }
        if (list != null)
        {
            return list.AsReadOnly();
        }
        return original;
    }

    protected virtual MemberAssignment VisitMemberAssignment(MemberAssignment assignment)
    {
        Expression e = this.Visit(assignment.Expression);
        if (e != assignment.Expression)
        {
            return Expression.Bind(assignment.Member, e);
        }
        return assignment;
    }

    protected virtual MemberMemberBinding VisitMemberMemberBinding(MemberMemberBinding binding)
    {
        IEnumerable<MemberBinding> bindings = this.VisitBindingList(binding.Bindings);
        if (bindings != binding.Bindings)
        {
            return Expression.MemberBind(binding.Member, bindings);
        }
        return binding;
    }

    protected virtual MemberListBinding VisitMemberListBinding(MemberListBinding binding)
    {
        IEnumerable<ElementInit> initializers = this.VisitElementInitializerList(binding.Initializers);
        if (initializers != binding.Initializers)
        {
            return Expression.ListBind(binding.Member, initializers);
        }
        return binding;
    }

    protected virtual IEnumerable<MemberBinding> VisitBindingList(ReadOnlyCollection<MemberBinding> original)
    {
        List<MemberBinding> list = null;
        for (int i = 0, n = original.Count; i < n; i+)
        {
            MemberBinding b = this.VisitBinding(original[i]);
            if (list != null)
            {
                list.Add(b);
            }
            else if (b != original[i])
            {
                list = new List<MemberBinding>(n);
                for (int j = 0; j < i; j+)
                {
                    list.Add(original[j]);
                }
                list.Add(b);
            }
        }
        if (list != null)
            return list;
        return original;
    }

    protected virtual IEnumerable<ElementInit> VisitElementInitializerList(ReadOnlyCollection<ElementInit> original)
    {
        List<ElementInit> list = null;
        for (int i = 0, n = original.Count; i < n; i+)
        {
            ElementInit init = this.VisitElementInitializer(original[i]);
            if (list != null)
            {
                list.Add(init);
            }
            else if (init != original[i])
            {
                list = new List<ElementInit>(n);
                for (int j = 0; j < i; j+)
                {
                    list.Add(original[j]);
                }
                list.Add(init);
            }
        }
        if (list != null)
            return list;
        return original;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitLambda(LambdaExpression lambda)
    {
        Expression body = this.Visit(lambda.Body);
        if (body != lambda.Body)
        {
            return Expression.Lambda(lambda.Type, body, lambda.Parameters);
        }
        return lambda;
    }

    protected virtual NewExpression VisitNew(NewExpression nex)
    {
        IEnumerable<Expression> args = this.VisitExpressionList(nex.Arguments);
        if (args != nex.Arguments)
        {
            if (nex.Members != null)
                return Expression.New(nex.Constructor, args, nex.Members);
            else 
                return Expression.New(nex.Constructor, args);
        }
        return nex;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitMemberInit(MemberInitExpression init)
    {
        NewExpression n = this.VisitNew(init.NewExpression);
        IEnumerable<MemberBinding> bindings = this.VisitBindingList(init.Bindings);
        if (n != init.NewExpression || bindings != init.Bindings)
        {
            return Expression.MemberInit(n, bindings);
        }
        return init;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitListInit(ListInitExpression init)
    {
        NewExpression n = this.VisitNew(init.NewExpression);
        IEnumerable<ElementInit> initializers = this.VisitElementInitializerList(init.Initializers);
        if (n != init.NewExpression || initializers != init.Initializers)
        {
            return Expression.ListInit(n, initializers);
        }
        return init;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitNewArray(NewArrayExpression na)
    {
        IEnumerable<Expression> exprs = this.VisitExpressionList(na.Expressions);
        if (exprs != na.Expressions)
        {
            if (na.NodeType == ExpressionType.NewArrayInit)
            {
                return Expression.NewArrayInit(na.Type.GetElementType(), exprs);
            }
            else
            {
                return Expression.NewArrayBounds(na.Type.GetElementType(), exprs);
            }
        }
        return na;
    }

    protected virtual Expression VisitInvocation(InvocationExpression iv)
    {
        IEnumerable<Expression> args = this.VisitExpressionList(iv.Arguments);
        Expression expr = this.Visit(iv.Expression);
        if (args != iv.Arguments || expr != iv.Expression)
        {
            return Expression.Invoke(expr, args);
        }
        return iv;
    }
}

Note

In this implementation, the Visit method, which is the starting point for visiting an expression tree, has the protected (Protected in Visual Basic) access modifier. This means that in order to make this method accessible from outside the class or its derived classes, you must create a public (Public in Visual Basic) method that calls Visit. By having this one public (Public in Visual Basic) method in your visitor, the entry point is more obvious to callers.

Compiling the Code

  • Add a reference to System.Core.dll if it is not already referenced in your project.

  • Add using directives (or Imports statements in Visual Basic) for the System.Collections.Generic, System.Collections.ObjectModel, and System.Linq.Expressions namespaces.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Modify Expression Trees

Walkthrough: Creating an IQueryable LINQ Provider

Concepts

Expression Trees