inabox/InABox.Core/CoreUtils.cs

using System;
using System.Collections;
using System.Collections.Concurrent;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
using System.Globalization;
using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Linq.Expressions;
using System.Net.Mail;
using System.Reflection;
using System.Text;
using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
using Newtonsoft.Json;
using Newtonsoft.Json.Linq;
using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
using System.Data.Common;

//using Serialize.Linq.Serializers;

namespace InABox.Core
{
    public enum DatabaseProvider
    {
        //LiteDb,
        //MongoDb,
        SQLite
    }

    //public class DateTimeJsonConverter : JsonConverter<DateTime>
    //{

    //    public override void WriteJson(JsonWriter writer, DateTime value, JsonSerializer serializer)
    //    {
    //        String result = String.Format("{0:o}", value); 
    //        writer.WriteValue(result);
    //    }

    //    public override DateTime ReadJson(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, DateTime existingValue, bool hasExistingValue, JsonSerializer serializer)
    //    {
    //        if (reader.Value is DateTime)
    //            return (DateTime)reader.Value;
    //        else
    //        {
    //            String value = reader.Value.ToString().Replace("\"","");
    //            DateTime.TryParse(value, out DateTime result);
    //            return result;
    //        }
    //    }

    //    public override bool CanRead => true;
    //    public override bool CanWrite => true;
    //}

    //public class TimeSpanJsonConverter : JsonConverter<TimeSpan>
    //{

    //    public override void WriteJson(JsonWriter writer, TimeSpan value, JsonSerializer serializer)
    //    {
    //        TimeSpan timespan = (TimeSpan)value;
    //        writer.WriteValue(timespan.Ticks.ToString());
    //    }

    //    public override TimeSpan ReadJson(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, TimeSpan existingValue, bool hasExistingValue, JsonSerializer serializer)
    //    {
    //        Int64 ticks = Int64.Parse(reader.Value.ToString().Replace("\"", ""));
    //        return new TimeSpan(ticks);
    //    }
    //}

    public enum SyncfusionVersion
    {
        v16_3,
        v16_4,
        v17_1,
        v17_2,
        v17_4,
        v18_1,
        v18_4,
        v19_1,
        v19_3,
        v19_4,
        v20_1,
        v20_2,
        v20_3,
        v22_1,
        v23_1,
        v23_2,
        Unspecified
    }

    [LibraryInitializer]
    public static class CoreUtils
    {


        
        private static readonly List<Type> entities = new List<Type>();

        public static Dictionary<string, long> TypeListSummary = new Dictionary<string, long>();

        private static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<Type, IColumns> _columnscache = new ConcurrentDictionary<Type, IColumns>();

        private static readonly Regex StripHtmlStyles = new Regex(@"<style(.|\n)*?</style>", RegexOptions.Compiled);
        private static readonly Regex StripHtmlTags = new Regex(@"<(.|\n)*?>", RegexOptions.Compiled);
        private static readonly Regex StripSpecialCharacters = new Regex(@"&#(.|\n)*?;|&nbsp;|&gt;|&lt;&quot;", RegexOptions.Compiled);
        private static readonly Regex StripLineBreaks = new Regex(@"( |\r?\n|\r|\n)\1+", RegexOptions.Compiled);
        
        public static IEnumerable<Type> Entities => entities;

        public static long GenerateSequence()
        {
            return (DateTime.Now - new DateTime(2019, 1, 1)).Ticks;
        }

        #region Licensing

        public static string SyncfusionLicense(SyncfusionVersion version = SyncfusionVersion.Unspecified)
        {
            var licenses = new Dictionary<SyncfusionVersion, string>
            {
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v16_3,
                    "MTE0MTMyQDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMFYwZ1YvdG4vNWVlb2JmMGdLSWJVd2l3cmpWVU9nYXVLYmdZbXkzUkpWK3M9;MTE0MTMzQDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMGFraS9ZQkgxdXlQdDJNdWVIaHFXS0I0S29HY1JrVERYT1hEUVpmczlCYW89;MTE0MTM0QDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMGozZGw2bERQVHFVaUkrOWZ0Z0swNVQzWkM5OEdCN042VTNnUzdZWENMMk09;MTE0MTM1QDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMERTYTIzVmlSKzllZnQ2T3ZTVXVLbEJmRnh2UUQ2d0pFb2JLRWVlcHdwMWc9;MTE0MTM2QDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMFowVmxDMmlXUVVPVVowR2sxaWJxVVJ6M1NORW81clF2KzJhbXN3K2ZkZWs9;MTE0MTM3QDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMEQxMnRUMjJOLzU3dTdwaGZzRmUvS0ZVRWVkc3dZMSszYWQ1ZkpueDZNS2c9;MTE0MTM4QDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMENZcDRIS0N6U2psbmFiM1BIdGJzZUU4Y1lWWm5oNm52T1FsVmVDK3g5RG89;MTE0MTM5QDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMEdjbHhYbExwU1VYblJGM3F4TC94R2cvd3J4MGJMc21qelpNbHg2cUZjckk9;MTE0MTQwQDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMGNPZDFCcklTSkJVakFtVlhDdlgwdDgzeWNwZnliZmVqQUExUWNhRjhzVHc9;MTE0MTQxQDMxMzYyZTMzMmUzMFowVmxDMmlXUVVPVVowR2sxaWJxVVJ6M1NORW81clF2KzJhbXN3K2ZkZWs9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v16_4,
                    "MTE0MTQyQDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMGJ4UzVnMEJkOFpUM2pqanhPbnUrclk3c3lzQjVMdnV0eExnb3ljdGhqUjQ9;MTE0MTQzQDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzME5pY1I4ZWI1TnIwVFZVQXlBYWlEb0lsVTcxc1RUWEVOMWxESUIzVEJ6QXM9;MTE0MTQ0QDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMG8wWjY0bml1QWVDeXI0TkI3STZWZEs2TkJjOFNaQWxTUCttL2tSNVUzbjA9;MTE0MTQ1QDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMFNvanpRenpST2FtWHNJbzFwcnZ0djhuRjd3NnlGcVA4N3ljWFpCcExDVjg9;MTE0MTQ2QDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMFJXMkVxT29WN0tMWEhDbTl5Uko5ak12RjV0dU1SODlZcGY1TkFudmVnR009;MTE0MTQ3QDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMGU1U0dpZm5UTVBCclQvVmxBQkhNUlhoWUw0cmw5WFpRK0hKNUFpVitlSVU9;MTE0MTQ4QDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMFRZa1NvdzV4NUNYTDJHaVdnL1k0SEh6ZjhocTYwZUkrVmt4eVdKOEJNR289;MTE0MTQ5QDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMEMyM21MSEZUdmo4Qk1WNGZWekVBSkE4V2Zva2ZrNnh0WmwvN20rTWxhZzg9;MTE0MTUwQDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMGt2N0wvMml1MHp3MVNVblJSeDZTaXUwdGxvWmlxcXZ2blFJNzNJSDhRV1k9;MTE0MTUxQDMxMzYyZTM0MmUzMFJXMkVxT29WN0tMWEhDbTl5Uko5ak12RjV0dU1SODlZcGY1TkFudmVnR009"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v17_1,
                    "MTE0MTUyQDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMGJxNHN0ZU9tVmNWK0RCUlRDeXpMU0hnenBid2xiTTZKemVpTmRlTFJOT3c9;MTE0MTUzQDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMG1Qak9CaW9yd1dVUUxvNDJoY3dFOE5lSGd6dGtNQlJ1am55d2twQkR4ZXM9;MTE0MTU0QDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMFJXTDlNVnVQc25uL25QMFR2WVFMS054RUpVckFtUWljVjM2MkZCRkNLTDQ9;MTE0MTU1QDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMEJ4YUJRc2dVSWJVaVlzWjN1a3FMdEZnQnpmTWd0cUlSS0dqK0RkRU9FSUk9;MTE0MTU2QDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMEo2UGVucVZ3eVpkWmFJQnVqdnlLU0dERXlpdzBwb3IwcTNBMXBVbzNveVU9;MTE0MTU3QDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzME9BUXVITzhwK2tlay9qTmc5cXFzVEJ1ZUJvOUU0dmNDUXNYZ2FEQ1R3YzA9;MTE0MTU4QDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMEpEUzFLNi91U2FocXNwRGdnL2xrZzdvYTd6OXBKRmI4S0RXckRoZENFZDA9;MTE0MTU5QDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMGVxSk9wNDVOUGluZDhFYXpMWVZKTklCK0M5R29JMG5RTmw1T002T3YrUzA9;MTE0MTYwQDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMEtQZnBMczBYWDJKSll5LzdqN21QcVRHd2hYeEgzMXkrM3JSdmNTVXpHYXM9;MTE0MTYxQDMxMzcyZTMxMmUzMEo2UGVucVZ3eVpkWmFJQnVqdnlLU0dERXlpdzBwb3IwcTNBMXBVbzNveVU9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v17_2,
                    "MTIwNTA0QDMxMzcyZTMyMmUzMGxuSUVyYmtQYWdYSFlsdmYyV29FYXRKNXJiOVlkSjhYQ0djS2NQazd5czA9;MTIwNTA1QDMxMzcyZTMyMmUzMGJEb3VvekNxaUFXa3N5b2l4eXpxZ3NqRkMvbnpjQjFUMHpWbmlMaktBSlU9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v17_4,
                    "MTgzNDc1QDMxMzcyZTM0MmUzMFhkYlgrZXhMYjVLMFY3MStXZTExTkRJMVhjRGg3S3B2TXRzTloxVHpHc289;MTgzNDc2QDMxMzcyZTM0MmUzME9wZ01lakhTT04zOGJybFp5KzVBYjdFamFqV2Jpd01Wckdnd1dTd3JUeDQ9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v18_1,
                    "MzU3NDMwQDMxMzgyZTMxMmUzME1VV29JM0Z2aVpZenBSaThtbmphSTBGZ0djNnoyUGNsZk5zU0dGVTR4TFE9;MzU3NDMxQDMxMzgyZTMxMmUzMGhsUUZJaXRmRjNkb1hCeWZiMG03QWo0S1UxRnEwRFhTbHUvN3FUWnZvRVU9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v18_4,
                    "NDI2MzEzQDMxMzgyZTM0MmUzMGxsVE9iRkMrckpDdjNZcUZYVGZCaHloNTFRQnd6c1FKSDc5ZWRYcWgrR0U9;NDI2MzE0QDMxMzgyZTM0MmUzME1JZzhPTC84b01kVGlzdDlmNUljMmZtblJBTVdHTHF6V00wZGpVNm5sWkE9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v19_1,
                    "NDI2MzA4QDMxMzkyZTMxMmUzMG9DaFBkRXRPKzZISTBLejVpYlBCM3hJVUxjNEgwMnBqdlZmTmRmOXVjdGM9;NDI2MzA5QDMxMzkyZTMxMmUzMGRoNDJVNDNKUldmbytZQ3dzTWJPY0VuZEMwT1phM09vMStEajhYMzZ2WGc9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v19_3,
                    "NTI0MzQxQDMxMzkyZTMzMmUzME44d0c4ME9lYmZGNW5nK3B0Vm1GQTNZeUFLeDhNSWh0SWZ0bzUxWHNEU3M9;NTI0MzQyQDMxMzkyZTMzMmUzMGpGdkdnQmtxbHdic0QvaktPa2pZcG0zMU5tV2NxZ3lhdks4N01HREJtYU09;NTI0MzQzQDMxMzkyZTMzMmUzME10dy9uUGp1OTJhc095S3RiQXhsclN5MUhUcVJNd1N2TEFCWThSWkp5Q289"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v19_4,
                    "NTUwNDcyQDMxMzkyZTM0MmUzMG9QaUZGdHNGWVpXRU90clpIZ2JJVkVXU2Q2VHFRdEZMY1Z3U3RySUF3a1k9;NTUwNDczQDMxMzkyZTM0MmUzMGtzdlcwYmlwZUVzNTZsNUJQMFN3K1hMYXdmZVlVNms1N2RtcWFvWHdBczg9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v20_1,
                    "NjYxMzYzQDMyMzAyZTMxMmUzMGpLV2tKMkl1bjRXOVNRMkRjYkxlNFNXQ3g5OGI2V2RoWkNpSk9HY3dyakE9; NjYxMzY0QDMyMzAyZTMxMmUzMGFaK2JxYzhTVnpTdXNEckVEM2x5ckVXdTJkVThpV3ZZRVE0emI1ekl2eWM9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v20_2,
                    "Mgo+DSMBaFt/QHJqVVhjWlpFdEBBXHxAd1p/VWJYdVt5flBPcDwsT3RfQF9jTn9QdkZiXX9YcHxXQw==;Mgo+DSMBPh8sVXJ0S0R+XE9HcFRDX3xKf0x/TGpQb19xflBPallYVBYiSV9jS3xTcURgWXxfdHRTRmlYVA==;ORg4AjUWIQA/Gnt2VVhiQlFadVlJXGFWfVJpTGpQdk5xdV9DaVZUTWY/P1ZhSXxRdkJiWn9dcXBVQGFcVEE=;Njc1MTQ1QDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMGdvdWNsV3podC9LTC9MamF2YXNpT3pjR3Rsa3NGQzBxdWNtSGUvV0dsOGc9;Njc1MTQ2QDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMFdhQkYvdkFwa3NTWXo4MnkxVWY4VnlyMHJlbmVud3N6TWQ3dkN6b3RmVm89;NRAiBiAaIQQuGjN/V0Z+Xk9EaFxEVmJLYVB3WmpQdldgdVRMZVVbQX9PIiBoS35RdEVkWHxec3VRRmZdVkRz;Njc1MTQ4QDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMFcyaWFYL0dGZXFwanNIMHFEcnZ1d2pSMWhQR21PWEVwdjJjMjRuUVQxYjA9;Njc1MTQ5QDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMGJjWHhqbkRRYXJkd3RFV2FXbFlGREZVd2FuaFNXM21qa1dha1lNWC8rWDA9;Mgo+DSMBMAY9C3t2VVhiQlFadVlJXGFWfVJpTGpQdk5xdV9DaVZUTWY/P1ZhSXxRdkJiWn9dcXBVQGJfWEE=;Njc1MTUxQDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMGNBTUpQbGxtS3E3NDV1M1pEUFVjMjR6eEg5S3ZiRGhUalVHNk5oenNybWs9;Njc1MTUyQDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMGk1U1lKR3lKUTMwWEdJb2JVbG5WYWVkMUwwbFpPMG9SbSszZmt2MGRoZUU9;Njc1MTUzQDMyMzAyZTMyMmUzMFcyaWFYL0dGZXFwanNIMHFEcnZ1d2pSMWhQR21PWEVwdjJjMjRuUVQxYjA9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v20_3,
                    "NzY3MzEzQDMyMzAyZTMzMmUzMGR2bk5Bb1lOK2pJV2lLdys4YlVDMGViYUhCY21PM2xITTRWZlhYYmRlVm89;NzY3MzE0QDMyMzAyZTMzMmUzMG9vSEdIY1d1NDFPYjBGSnJMcTlQSmpMUzYwNk9HZUNXWHNJZWlXZloyT0U9"
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v22_1,
                    "MjU0OTIyM0AzMjMyMmUzMDJlMzBhMTc2SkUzUFkyUzcyUFVhNzFLWDRCOElLTkVjQ2JQOG9zZ09CUTBuZjN3PQ==;MjU0OTIyNEAzMjMyMmUzMDJlMzBtaG5naUZPVVRwdENBWGRNSDdYK3orQ3NCcjVkYjRVUzQ4ZHoyRkloeStVPQ==;MjU0OTIyNUAzMjMyMmUzMDJlMzBtaG5naUZPVVRwdENBWGRNSDdYK3orQ3NCcjVkYjRVUzQ4ZHoyRkloeStVPQ=="
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v23_1,
                    "MjgwNDUxMkAzMjMzMmUzMDJlMzBlYjFtTGpVVkFBVjB5K0VXWXJBazhXa3htWGFQMnJuK0txb0VTL2EycmlBPQ==;MjgwNDUxM0AzMjMzMmUzMDJlMzBXTC9sRzg4aFV1VU1uS1F5a1UrZHdFSzMxaFFsYVpPbDlsc0F5OVNEVFhJPQ==;MjgwNDUxNEAzMjMzMmUzMDJlMzBXTC9sRzg4aFV1VU1uS1F5a1UrZHdFSzMxaFFsYVpPbDlsc0F5OVNEVFhJPQ=="
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.v23_2,
                    "Ngo9BigBOggjHTQxAR8/V1NHaF1cWmhIfEx1RHxQdld5ZFRHallYTnNWUj0eQnxTdEZiW35fcHRQRGVZWEBzVg=="
                },
                {
                    SyncfusionVersion.Unspecified,
                    "NjcyNDdAMzEzNjJlMzQyZTMwbWZlcXhUQW80NjUrTENRTVM0c2J5empYZDFUcHhDcEE0T3gwZDZZVGVtQT0=;NjcyNDhAMzEzNjJlMzQyZTMwZWtuc0VlSXVteWNtUE8zQ1V1azcrZmRjTFBqUGFHenU1YzNwbUVTdlcxVT0="
                
                }
            };
            return licenses[version];
        }

        public static void CheckLicensing()
        {
            var entities = TypeList(
                AppDomain.CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies(),
                myType =>
                    myType.IsClass
                    && !myType.IsAbstract
                    && !myType.IsGenericType
                    && myType.IsSubclassOf(typeof(Entity))
            ).ToArray();

            foreach (var entity in entities)
            {
                var lic = entity.GetInterfaces()
                    .FirstOrDefault(x => x.IsConstructedGenericType && x.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(ILicense<>));
                if (lic == null)
                    Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", "License Configuration Error: " + entity.EntityName().Split('.').Last());
            }
        }

        #endregion

        public static Guid FullGuid = Guid.Parse("FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF");

        #region Reflection

        public static bool HasInterface(this Type type, Type interfaceType)
        {
            return type.GetInterfaces(interfaceType).Any();
        }
        public static bool HasInterface<T>(this Type type) => type.HasInterface(typeof(T));
        public static Type? GetInterfaceDefinition(this Type type, Type interfaceType)
        {
            return type.GetInterfaces(interfaceType).FirstOrDefault();
        }
        public static IEnumerable<Type> GetInterfaces(this Type type, Type interfaceType)
        {
            return type
                .GetInterfaces()
                .Where(x => x.IsGenericType ? x.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == interfaceType : x == interfaceType);
        }
        public static IEnumerable<Type> GetInterfaceDefinitions(this Type type, Type interfaceType)
        {
            foreach(var inter in type.GetInterfaces())
            {
                if (inter == interfaceType)
                {
                    yield return inter;
                }
                else if (inter.IsGenericType)
                {
                    var genericTypeDefinition = inter.GetGenericTypeDefinition();
                    if (genericTypeDefinition == interfaceType)
                        yield return genericTypeDefinition;
                }
            }
        }

        public static bool IsSubclassOfRawGeneric(this Type toCheck, Type generic)
        {
            while (toCheck != typeof(object))
            {
                var cur = toCheck.IsGenericType ? toCheck.GetGenericTypeDefinition() : toCheck;
                if (generic == cur) return true;
                toCheck = toCheck.BaseType;
            }

            return false;
        }

        public static Type? GetSuperclassDefinition(this Type toCheck, Type generic)
        {
            while (toCheck != typeof(object))
            {
                var cur = toCheck.IsGenericType ? toCheck.GetGenericTypeDefinition() : toCheck;
                if (generic == cur) return toCheck;
                toCheck = toCheck.BaseType;
            }

            return null;
        }

        public static bool HasAttribute<T>(this Type type) where T : Attribute => type.GetCustomAttribute<T>() != null;


        #endregion

        #region Entities + Types

        public static void RegisterClasses()
        {
            RegisterClasses(typeof(CoreUtils).GetTypeInfo().Assembly);
            ImportFactory.Register(typeof(CSVImporter<>), "Comma Separated", "Comma Separated Files (*.csv)|*.csv");
            ImportFactory.Register(typeof(TabImporter<>), "Tab Delimited", "Tab-Delimited Files (*.txt)|*.txt");
            ImportFactory.Register(typeof(FixedWidthImporter<>), "Fixed Width", "Text Files (*.txt)|*.txt");
        }

        public static void RegisterClasses(params Assembly[] assemblies)
        {
            foreach (var assembly in assemblies)
            {
                var types = TypeList(
                    new[] { assembly },
                    myType =>
                        //myType.GetTypeInfo().IsClass && 
                        !myType.GetTypeInfo().IsAbstract
                        //&& !myType.GetTypeInfo().IsGenericType
                        //&& myType.GetTypeInfo().IsSubclassOf(typeof(Entity))
                        && !entities.Contains(myType)
                );
                entities.AddRange(types);

                //foreach (var type in types.Where(x=>x.IsSubclassOf(typeof(BaseObject))))
                //{

                //    // Register Serializers for Entities
                //    var sertype = typeof(MsgPackBaseObjectSerializer<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //    var method = typeof(MsgPackSerializer).GetMethod("Register", BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Static).MakeGenericMethod(type, sertype);
                //    method.Invoke(null, new object[] { });

                //    if (type.IsSubclassOf(typeof(Entity)))
                //    {
                //        Type flttype = typeof(Filter<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //        var fsertype = typeof(MsgPackFilterSerializer<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //        var fmethod = typeof(MsgPackSerializer).GetMethod("Register", BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Static).MakeGenericMethod(flttype, fsertype);
                //        fmethod.Invoke(null, new object[] { });

                //        Type coltype = typeof(Columns<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //        var csertype = typeof(MsgPackColumnsSerializer<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //        var cmethod = typeof(MsgPackSerializer).GetMethod("Register", BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Static).MakeGenericMethod(coltype, csertype);
                //        cmethod.Invoke(null, new object[] { });

                //        Type srttype = typeof(SortOrder<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //        sertype = typeof(MsgPackSortOrderSerializer<>).MakeGenericType(type);
                //        method = typeof(MsgPackSerializer).GetMethod("Register", BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Static).MakeGenericMethod(srttype, sertype);
                //        method.Invoke(null, new object[] { });
                //    }
                //}
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns a namespaced name for <paramref name="t"/>, converting also generic arguments to an angle-bracketed form.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="t"></param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        public static string EntityName(this Type t)
        {
            if (t.GetTypeInfo().IsGenericType)
            {
                var basename = t.FullName.Split(new[] { "[[" }, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)[0];
                var types = new List<string>();
                foreach (var type in t.GenericTypeArguments)
                    types.Add(type.EntityName());
                var result = string.Format("{0}<{1}>", basename, string.Join(",", types));
                return result;
            }

            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(t.FullName))
                return t.Name;
            return t.FullName.Split(',')[0];
        }

        private static Type? FindType(string name)
        {
            var result = entities.FirstOrDefault(x => x.EntityName().Equals(name));
            if (result is null)
                result = Type.GetType(name);
            return result;
        }

        public static bool TryGetEntity(string entityname, [NotNullWhen(true)] out Type? type)
        {
            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(entityname))
            {
                type = null;
                return false;
            }

            if (entityname.Contains("<"))
            {
                var comps = entityname.Replace(">", "").Split('<');
                var basetype = FindType(comps[0]);
                var types = new List<Type>();
                var generics = comps[1].Split(',');
                foreach (var generic in generics)
                {
                    var genericArg = FindType(generic);
                    if (genericArg is null)
                    {
                        type = null;
                        return false;
                    }
                    types.Add(genericArg);
                }
                type = basetype?.MakeGenericType(types.ToArray());
            }
            else
            {
                type = FindType(entityname);
            }

            return type != null;
        }

        public static Type GetEntity(string entityname)
        {
            if (TryGetEntity(entityname, out var type))
                return type;
            throw new Exception($"Entity {entityname} does not exist!");
        }
        public static Type? GetEntityOrNull(string entityname)
        {
            TryGetEntity(entityname, out var type);
            return type;
        }

        //private static List<Type> TypeCache = null;

        /// <summary>
        ///     Returns a list of types that have been loaded by the various calls to RegisterClasses, e.g.
        ///     CoreUtils.RegisterClasses
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="Predicate"></param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        public static IEnumerable<Type> TypeList(Func<Type, bool> Predicate)
        {
            var result = new List<Type>();
            try
            {
                try
                {
                    foreach (var type in entities.Where(x => x != null).Cast<TypeInfo>())
                        try
                        {
                            if (Predicate(type.AsType()) && !result.Contains(type.AsType()))
                                result.Add(type.AsType());
                        }
                        catch (Exception e)
                        {
                            //Console.WriteLine(type.Name + " : " + tl.Message);
                            Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", $"Error in CoreUtils.TypeList: {CoreUtils.FormatException(e)}");
                        }
                }
                catch (Exception e)
                {
                    Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
                }
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
            }

            return result;
        }

        /// <summary>
        ///     Returns a list of types present within the assemblies.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="assemblies"></param>
        /// <param name="Predicate"></param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        public static IList<Type> TypeList(IEnumerable<Assembly> assemblies, Func<Type, bool> Predicate)
        {
            var result = new List<Type>();
            try
            {
                try
                {
                    foreach (var assembly in assemblies) //.Where(x=>!x.IsDynamic))
                        try
                        {
                            Type[] types;
                            try
                            {
                                types = assembly.GetTypes();
                            }
                            catch (ReflectionTypeLoadException e0)
                            {
                                types = e0.Types;
                            }
                            catch (Exception)
                            {
                                types = Array.Empty<Type>();
                            }

                            foreach (var type in types.Where(x => x != null).Cast<TypeInfo>())
                                try
                                {
                                    var asType = type.AsType();
                                    if (Predicate(asType))
                                    {
                                        if (!result.Any(x => String.Equals(x.EntityName(), asType.EntityName())))
                                            result.Add(asType);
                                    }
                                }
                                catch (Exception el)
                                {
                                    Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", el.Message, el.StackTrace));
                                    //Console.WriteLine(type.Name + " : " + tl.Message);
                                }
                        }
                        catch (Exception e)
                        {
                            Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
                        }
                }
                catch (Exception e)
                {
                    Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
                }
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
            }

            return result;
        }

        #endregion

        public static object? ChangeType(object? value, Type type)
        {
            if ((value == null || value is DBNull) && type.GetTypeInfo().IsGenericType)
                return Activator.CreateInstance(type);

            if (value == null)
                return null;

            if (value is DBNull)
                return null;

            if (type == value.GetType())
                return value;

            if (type == typeof(bool))
                return value.Equals(bool.TrueString) || value.Equals(1) || value.Equals("1");

            if (type.GetTypeInfo().IsEnum)
            {
                if (value.GetType().IsArray)
                    return (value as Array).Cast<object>().Select(x => Enum.ToObject(type, x)).ToArray();
                if (value is string)
                    return Enum.Parse(type, value as string);
                if (value is IEnumerable<object> list)
                    return list.Select(x => Enum.ToObject(type, x)).ToArray();
                return Enum.ToObject(type, value);
            }

            if (!type.GetTypeInfo().IsInterface && type.GetTypeInfo().IsGenericType)
            {
                var innerType = type.GetTypeInfo().GetGenericArguments()[0];
                var innerValue = ChangeType(value, innerType);
                return Activator.CreateInstance(type, innerValue);
            }

            if (value is string && type == typeof(Guid))
                try
                {
                    return new Guid(value as string);
                }
                catch
                {
                    return Guid.Empty;
                }

            if (value is IEnumerable<object> objList && type == typeof(Guid))
                return objList.Select(x => ChangeType<Guid>(x)).ToArray();

            if (value is byte[] && type == typeof(Guid))
                return new Guid(value as byte[]);

            if (value is string && type == typeof(Version))
                return new Version(value as string);

            if (value is byte && type == typeof(TimeSpan))
                return new TimeSpan((byte)value);

            if (value is string && type == typeof(TimeSpan))
                return TimeSpan.Parse(value as string);

            if (value is string && type == typeof(DateTime))
                return DateTime.Parse(value as string);

            if (value is bool && type == typeof(string))
                return (bool)value ? bool.TrueString : bool.FalseString;

            if (value is JArray && type == typeof(string[]))
                return (value as JArray).Select(x => x.ToString()).ToArray();

            if (value is string && type == typeof(byte[]))
                return Convert.FromBase64String(value as string);

            if(value is FilterConstant constant)
            {
                if (type == typeof(DateTime))
                {
                    if (Equals(FilterConstant.Null, value))
                        return DateTime.MinValue;
                    return value;
                }
                if (type == typeof(Guid) && constant == FilterConstant.Null)
                {
                    return Guid.Empty;
                }
                if (type == typeof(double))
                {
                    return value;
                    //    if (Equals(FilterConstant.Zero, value))
                    //        return (double)0;
                }
                if (type == typeof(int))
                {
                    return value;
                    //    if (Equals(FilterConstant.Zero, value))
                    //        return 0;
                }
            }

            if (type == typeof(String))
                return value?.ToString() ?? "";
            
            if (!(value is IConvertible))
                return value;

            return Convert.ChangeType(value, type);
        }

        [return: MaybeNull]
        public static T ChangeType<T>(object? value)
        {
            var newValue = ChangeType(value, typeof(T));
            if (newValue is T tValue)
                return tValue;
            return default;
        }

        public static string RandomHexString(int length)
        {
            var rdm = new Random((int)DateTime.Now.Ticks);
            var hexValue = "";
            int num;
            for (var i = 0; i < length; i++)
            {
                num = rdm.Next(0, 16);
                hexValue += num.ToString("X1");
            }

            return hexValue;
        }

        public static bool IsEmpty(this DateTime value)
        {
            return value.Ticks <= DateTime.MinValue.AddHours(8).Ticks;
        }

        #region Properties

        public static string GetFullPropertyName<Type, TProperty>(Expression<Func<Type, TProperty>> exp, string separator)
        {
            try
            {
                if (!TryFindMemberExpression(exp.Body, out var memberExp))
                    return "";

                return GetFullPropertyName(memberExp, separator);
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                throw e;
            }
        }

        public static string GetFullPropertyName(MemberExpression exp, string separator)
        {
            try
            {
                var currentExpression = exp;
                var memberNames = new Stack<string>();
                do
                {
                    memberNames.Push(currentExpression.Member.Name);
                } while (TryFindMemberExpression(currentExpression.Expression, out currentExpression));

                var result = string.Join(separator, memberNames.ToArray());
                return result;
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                throw e;
            }
        }

        // code adjusted to prevent horizontal overflow
        public static bool TryFindMemberExpression(Expression exp, [NotNullWhen(true)] out MemberExpression? memberExp)
        {
            memberExp = exp as MemberExpression;
            if (memberExp != null)
                return true;

            if (IsConversion(exp) && exp is UnaryExpression unary)
            {
                memberExp = unary.Operand as MemberExpression;
                if (memberExp != null)
                    return true;
            }

            return false;
        }

        public static Expression<Func<T, TType>> GetPropertyExpression<T, TType>(string name)
        {
            var param = Expression.Parameter(typeof(T), "x");
            Expression body = param;
            foreach (var member in name.Split('.')) body = Expression.PropertyOrField(body, member);
            var p = Expression.Parameter(typeof(TType));
            var conversion = body.Type == typeof(TType) ? body : Expression.Convert(body, typeof(TType));
            return Expression.Lambda<Func<T, TType>>(conversion, param);
        }

        public static Expression<Func<T, object?>> GetPropertyExpression<T>(string name)
        {
            var param = Expression.Parameter(typeof(T), "x");
            Expression body = param;
            foreach (var member in name.Split('.')) body = Expression.PropertyOrField(body, member);
            var p = Expression.Parameter(typeof(object));
            var conversion = Expression.Convert(body, typeof(object));
            return Expression.Lambda<Func<T, object?>>(conversion, param);
        }

        public static MemberExpression GetMemberExpression(Type t, string name)
        {
            var param = Expression.Parameter(t, "x");
            Expression body = param;
            foreach (var member in name.Split('.'))
                body = Expression.PropertyOrField(body, member);
            var me = Expression.Lambda(body, param).Body as MemberExpression;
            return me;
        }

        public static Expression GetPropertyExpression(Type t, string name, Type? type = null)
        {
            var param = Expression.Parameter(t, "x");
            Expression body = param;
            foreach (var member in name.Split('.')) body = Expression.PropertyOrField(body, member);
            if (type != null)
                body = Expression.Convert(body, typeof(object));
            return Expression.Lambda(body, param);

            //var p2 = Expression.Parameter(t, "x");
            //Expression e2 = Expression.Lambda(Expression.Property(p2, name), p2);
            //return e2;
        }

        public static PropertyInfo GetProperty(Type t, string name)
        {
            if (TryGetProperty(t, name, out var info))
                return info;
            throw new Exception($"Property {name} does not exist for {t.Name}");
        }
        public static PropertyInfo GetProperty<T>(string name) => GetProperty(typeof(T), name);

        public static bool TryGetProperty(Type t, string name, [NotNullWhen(true)] out PropertyInfo? propertyInfo)
        {
            propertyInfo = null;
            var typeinfo = t.GetTypeInfo();
            var props = name.Split('.');
            foreach (var prop in props)
            {
                propertyInfo = typeinfo.GetProperty(prop);
                if (propertyInfo is null)
                    return false;
                typeinfo = propertyInfo.PropertyType.GetTypeInfo();
            }
            if (propertyInfo is null)
                return false;
            return true;
        }
        public static bool TryGetProperty<T>(string name, [NotNullWhen(true)] out PropertyInfo? propertyInfo) =>
            TryGetProperty(typeof(T), name, out propertyInfo);

        public static bool HasProperty(Type t, string name)
        {
            PropertyInfo property;
            var typeinfo = t.GetTypeInfo();
            var props = name.Split('.');
            foreach (var prop in props)
            {
                property = typeinfo.GetProperty(prop);
                if (property == null)
                    return false;
                typeinfo = property.PropertyType.GetTypeInfo();
            }

            return true;
        }

        public static object? GetPropertyParent(object o, string name)
        {
            var comps = name.Split('.').ToList();
            comps.Remove(comps.Last());
            if (comps.Count == 0)
                return o;
            return GetPropertyValue(o, string.Join(".", comps));
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Gets the value of the object's given property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="o">The object to get the property from.</param>
        /// <param name="name">The name of the property.</param>
        /// <returns>
        /// <see langword="null"/> if <paramref name="o"/> or any intermediate properties are <see langword="null"/>;
        /// otherwise the value of the property <paramref name="name"/>, which can be <see langword="null"/>.
        /// </returns>
        /// <exception cref="Exception">if the property does not exist.</exception>
        public static object? GetPropertyValue(object? o, string name)
        {
            if (o is null)
                return null;
            var t = o.GetType().GetTypeInfo();

            if (o is BaseObject)
            {
                var property = DatabaseSchema.Property(t, name);
                if (property != null && (property is CustomProperty || !name.Contains(".")))
                    return property.Getter().Invoke(o);
            }

            var props = name.Split('.');
            foreach (var prop in props)
            {
                var rprop = t.GetProperty(prop);
                if (rprop == null)
                    throw new Exception(string.Format("Property {0} does not exist for {1}", prop, o.GetType().Name));
                o = rprop.GetValue(o, null);
                if (o is null)
                    return null;
                t = o.GetType().GetTypeInfo();
            }

            return o;
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Sets a property on the given object, doing nothing if the property does not exist.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="o">The object to set the property of.</param>
        /// <param name="name">The property to set.</param>
        /// <param name="value">The value to set the property to.</param>
        public static void SetPropertyValue(object o, string name, object? value)
        {
            var bits = name.Split('.');
            for (var i = 0; i < bits.Length - 1; i++)
            {
                var propertyToGet = o.GetType().GetTypeInfo().GetProperty(bits[i]);
                if (propertyToGet == null)
                    return;

                var newo = propertyToGet.GetValue(o, null);
                if (newo == null)
                {
                    newo = Activator.CreateInstance(propertyToGet.PropertyType);
                    propertyToGet.SetValue(o, newo);
                }

                o = newo;
            }

            var propertyToSet = o.GetType().GetTypeInfo().GetProperty(bits.Last());
            if (propertyToSet is null)
            {
                var iprop = DatabaseSchema.Property(o.GetType(), name);
                if (iprop is CustomProperty)
                {
                    ((BaseObject)o).UserProperties[name] = value;
                    return;
                }
                return;
            }


            //PropertyInfo propertyToSet = GetProperty(o.GetType(), name);

            object? convertedvalue = null;

            if (value != null)
            {
                if (propertyToSet.PropertyType.Equals(typeof(Type)))
                {
                    convertedvalue = Type.GetType(value.ToString(), true, true);
                }
                else if (propertyToSet.PropertyType.GetTypeInfo().IsEnum)
                {
                    convertedvalue = Enum.Parse(propertyToSet.PropertyType, value.ToString(), true);
                }
                //else if (propertyToSet.PropertyType.Equals(typeof(Memo)))
                //	convertedvalue = (Memo)value.ToString();
                else if (propertyToSet.PropertyType.Equals(typeof(Guid)))
                {
                    var guidvalue = Guid.Empty;
                    Guid.TryParse(value.ToString(), out guidvalue);
                    convertedvalue = guidvalue;
                }
                //else if (propertyToSet.PropertyType.IsSubclassOf(value.GetType()))
                //    convertedvalue = value;
                else if (propertyToSet.PropertyType.IsAssignableFrom(value.GetType()))
                {
                    convertedvalue = value;
                }
                else if (!(value is DBNull))
                {
                    convertedvalue = Convert.ChangeType(value, propertyToSet.PropertyType);
                }
            }

            if (propertyToSet.CanWrite)
            {
                var method = propertyToSet.GetSetMethod();
                //if (method == null)
                var oldval = propertyToSet.GetValue(o);
                propertyToSet.SetValue(o, convertedvalue, null);
                if (o is BaseObject)
                    ((BaseObject)o).OnPropertyChanged(propertyToSet.Name, oldval, convertedvalue);

                //else
                //    method.Invoke(o, new Object[] { convertedvalue });
                //if (o.GetType().IsSubclassOf(typeof(BaseObject)))
                //    ((BaseObject)o).OnPropertyChanged(name, propertyToSet.GetValue(o), convertedvalue);
            }
        }
        
        public static PropertyInfo[] GetInheritedProperties(Type type)
        {
            if (type.IsInterface)
            {
                var propertyInfos = new List<PropertyInfo>();

                var considered = new List<Type>();
                var queue = new Queue<Type>();
                considered.Add(type);
                queue.Enqueue(type);
                while (queue.Count > 0)
                {
                    var subType = queue.Dequeue();
                    foreach (var subInterface in subType.GetInterfaces())
                    {
                        if (considered.Contains(subInterface)) continue;

                        considered.Add(subInterface);
                        queue.Enqueue(subInterface);
                    }

                    var typeProperties = subType.GetProperties(
                        BindingFlags.FlattenHierarchy 
                        | BindingFlags.Public 
                        | BindingFlags.Instance);

                    var newPropertyInfos = typeProperties
                        .Where(x => !propertyInfos.Contains(x));

                    propertyInfos.InsertRange(0, newPropertyInfos);
                }

                return propertyInfos.ToArray();
            }
            
            return type.GetProperties(BindingFlags.FlattenHierarchy
                                      | BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance);
        }


        public static Dictionary<string, Type> PropertyList(Type T, Func<PropertyInfo, bool> Predicate, bool Recursive)
        {
            Dictionary<string, Type> properties;
            if (T.GetTypeInfo().BaseType != null)
                properties = PropertyList(T.GetTypeInfo().BaseType, Predicate, Recursive);
            else
                properties = new Dictionary<string, Type>();

            //TypeInfo entitytype = typeof(Entity).GetTypeInfo();
            //TypeInfo componenttype = typeof(EnclosedEntity).GetTypeInfo();
            foreach (var prop in T.GetRuntimeProperties())
                // '.' contains check for explicit implementation of interface properties
                if (!properties.ContainsKey(prop.Name) && Predicate(prop) && !prop.Name.Contains('.'))
                {
                    var propertytype = prop.PropertyType.GetTypeInfo();

                    if (
                        Recursive &&
                        (
                            propertytype.IsSubclassOf(typeof(Entity)) ||
                            propertytype.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEnclosedEntity)) ||
                            propertytype.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEntityLink))
                        )
                    )
                    {
                        var props = PropertyList(prop.PropertyType, Predicate, Recursive);
                        foreach (var key in props.Keys) properties[string.Format("{0}.{1}", prop.Name, key)] = props[key];
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        properties[prop.Name] = prop.PropertyType;
                    }
                }

            return properties;
        }

        public static Dictionary<string, PropertyInfo> PropertyInfoList(Type T, Func<PropertyInfo, bool> Predicate, bool Recursive)
        {
            Dictionary<string, PropertyInfo> properties;
            if (T.GetTypeInfo().BaseType != null)
                properties = PropertyInfoList(T.GetTypeInfo().BaseType, Predicate, Recursive);
            else
                properties = new Dictionary<string, PropertyInfo>();

            //TypeInfo entitytype = typeof(Entity).GetTypeInfo();
            //TypeInfo componenttype = typeof(EnclosedEntity).GetTypeInfo();
            foreach (var prop in T.GetRuntimeProperties())
                // '.' contains check for explicit implementation of interface properties
                if (!properties.ContainsKey(prop.Name) && Predicate(prop) && !prop.Name.Contains('.'))
                {
                    var propertytype = prop.PropertyType.GetTypeInfo();

                    if (
                        Recursive &&
                        (
                            propertytype.IsSubclassOf(typeof(Entity)) ||
                            propertytype.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEnclosedEntity)) ||
                            propertytype.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEntityLink))
                        )
                    )
                    {
                        var props = PropertyInfoList(prop.PropertyType, Predicate, Recursive);
                        foreach (var key in props.Keys) properties[string.Format("{0}.{1}", prop.Name, key)] = props[key];
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        properties[prop.Name] = prop;
                    }
                }

            return properties;
        }

        public static IEnumerable<PropertyInfo> PropertyList(Type T, Func<PropertyInfo, bool> Predicate)
        {
            return T.GetRuntimeProperties().Where(x => Predicate(x));
        }

        private static PropertyInfo InternalGetPropertyFromExpression<TObject, TType>(Expression<Func<TObject, TType>> GetPropertyLambda)
        {
            MemberExpression Exp;

            //this line is necessary, because sometimes the expression comes in as Convert(originalexpression)
            if (GetPropertyLambda.Body is UnaryExpression unary)
            {
                Exp = unary.Operand as MemberExpression ?? throw new ArgumentException();
            }
            else if (GetPropertyLambda.Body is MemberExpression)
            {
                Exp = (MemberExpression)GetPropertyLambda.Body;
            }
            else
            {
                throw new ArgumentException();
            }

            return (PropertyInfo)Exp.Member;
        }

        public static PropertyInfo GetPropertyFromExpression<TObject, TStruct>(Expression<Func<TObject, TStruct>> lambda)
        {
            return InternalGetPropertyFromExpression(lambda);
        }

        public static PropertyInfo GetPropertyFromExpression<T>(Expression<Func<T, object>> GetPropertyLambda)
        {
            MemberExpression Exp;

            //this line is necessary, because sometimes the expression comes in as Convert(originalexpression)
            if (GetPropertyLambda.Body is UnaryExpression)
            {
                var UnExp = (UnaryExpression)GetPropertyLambda.Body;
                if (UnExp.Operand is MemberExpression)
                    Exp = (MemberExpression)UnExp.Operand;
                else
                    throw new ArgumentException();
            }
            else if (GetPropertyLambda.Body is MemberExpression)
            {
                Exp = (MemberExpression)GetPropertyLambda.Body;
            }
            else
            {
                throw new ArgumentException();
            }

            return (PropertyInfo)Exp.Member;
        }

        #endregion

        public static bool IsCollection(PropertyInfo prop)
        {
            if (!typeof(string).Equals(prop.PropertyType))
                if (typeof(IEnumerable).GetTypeInfo().IsAssignableFrom(prop.PropertyType))
                    if (!prop.PropertyType.IsArray)
                        if (prop.PropertyType.GenericTypeArguments[0].GetTypeInfo().IsSubclassOf(typeof(Entity)))
                            return true;
            return false;
        }

        private static bool IsConversion(Expression exp)
        {
            return exp.NodeType == ExpressionType.Convert ||
                   exp.NodeType == ExpressionType.ConvertChecked;
        }

        //public static Dictionary<String, Type> PropertyList(Type T, bool Public = true, bool Static = false)
        //{
        //	Dictionary<String, Type> properties = new Dictionary<String, Type>();
        //	foreach (PropertyInfo prop in T.GetRuntimeProperties())
        //	{
        //		if ((prop.GetMethod.IsPublic == Public) && (prop.GetMethod.IsStatic == Static))
        //		{
        //			if (prop.PropertyType.GetTypeInfo().IsAssignableFrom(typeof(Entity).GetTypeInfo()))
        //			{
        //				Dictionary<String, Type> props = PropertyList(prop.PropertyType);
        //				foreach (String key in props.Keys)
        //				{
        //					properties[String.Format("{0}.{1}", prop.Name, key)] = props[key];
        //				}
        //			}
        //			else if (!prop.PropertyType.Equals(typeof(Guid)))
        //			{
        //				properties[prop.Name] = prop.GetType();
        //			}
        //		}
        //	}
        //	return properties;
        //}

        
        /// <summary>
        ///     Get all the child properties of an object that match a given type
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The class of property to search for</typeparam>
        /// <param name="parent">The object to search</param>
        /// <returns>A list of the objects found</returns>
        public static IEnumerable<PropertyInfo> GetChildrenProperties<T>(Type parentType)
        {
            return PropertyList(
                parentType,
                x => typeof(T).IsAssignableFrom(x.PropertyType)
            );
        }
        /// <summary>
        ///     Get all the child properties of an object that match a given type
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The class of property to search for</typeparam>
        /// <param name="parent">The object to search</param>
        /// <returns>A list of the objects found</returns>
        public static IEnumerable<T> GetChildren<T>(object parent)
        {
            var props = PropertyList(
                parent.GetType(),
                x => typeof(T).IsAssignableFrom(x.PropertyType)
            );
            foreach (var prop in props)
            {
                var child = (T)prop.GetValue(parent);
                if (child != null)
                    yield return child;
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        ///     Get all list properties of an object that are collections of a given type
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The class of child object to search for</typeparam>
        /// <param name="parent">The object to search</param>
        /// <returns>A list of the collections found</returns>
        public static IEnumerable<TType>[] GetCollectionsOfType<TType>(object parent)
        {
            var lists = new List<IEnumerable<TType>>();

            var props = PropertyList(parent.GetType(), x => true); // !typeof(String).Equals(x.PropertyType));
            foreach (var prop in props)
                if (typeof(IEnumerable).GetTypeInfo().IsAssignableFrom(prop.PropertyType))
                    if (prop.PropertyType.GenericTypeArguments.Length == 1)
                        if (prop.PropertyType.GenericTypeArguments[0].GetTypeInfo().GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(TType)))
                            lists.Add((IEnumerable<TType>)prop.GetValue(parent));

            return lists.ToArray();
        }

        //public static IEnumerable<Assembly> GetReferencingAssemblies(string assemblyName)
        //{
        //	var assemblies = new List<Assembly>();
        //	var dependencies = DependencyContext.Default.RuntimeLibraries;
        //	foreach (var library in dependencies)
        //	{
        //		if (IsCandidateLibrary(library, assemblyName))
        //		{
        //			var assembly = Assembly.Load(new AssemblyName(library.Name));
        //			assemblies.Add(assembly);
        //		}
        //	}
        //	return assemblies;
        //}

        //private static bool IsCandidateLibrary(RuntimeLibrary library, assemblyName)
        //{
        //	return library.Name == (assemblyName)
        //		|| library.Dependencies.Any(d => d.Name.StartsWith(assemblyName));
        //}

        //public static IEnumerable<Assembly> AssemblyList(Expression<Func<Type,bool>> Predicate)
        //{
        //	Func<Type, bool> lambda = Predicate.Compile();

        //	List<Assembly> assemblies = new List<Assembly>();

        //	IEnumerable<Assembly> allassemblies = AppDomain.CurrentDomain.GetAssemblies().Where(a => !a.IsDynamic).ToArray();
        //	foreach (Assembly assembly in allassemblies)
        //	{
        //		IEnumerable<Type> types = CoreUtils.TypeList(
        //			new Assembly[] { assembly },
        //			Predicate
        //		);
        //		if (types.Count() > 0)
        //			assemblies.Add(assembly);
        //	}
        //	return assemblies;
        //}

        //public static string SerializeExpression<T>(Expression obj)
        //{
        //	JsonSerializerSettings _settings;
        //	var defaultSettings = new JsonSerializerSettings { TypeNameHandling = TypeNameHandling.Objects };
        //	defaultSettings.Converters.Add(new ExpressionJsonConverter(typeof(T)));
        //	_settings = defaultSettings;
        //	return Serialization.Serialize(obj, _settings);
        //}

        //public static Expression DeserializeExpression<T>(string json)
        //{
        //	JsonSerializerSettings _settings;
        //	var defaultSettings = new JsonSerializerSettings { TypeNameHandling = TypeNameHandling.Objects };
        //	defaultSettings.Converters.Add(new ExpressionJsonConverter(typeof(T)));
        //	_settings = defaultSettings;
        //	return Serialization.Deserialize<Expression>(json, _settings);
        //}


        /// <summary>
        ///     [ <c>public static object GetDefault(this Type type)</c> ]
        ///     <para></para>
        ///     Retrieves the default value for a given Type
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="type">The Type for which to get the default value</param>
        /// <returns>The default value for <paramref name="type" /></returns>
        /// <remarks>
        ///     If a null Type, a reference Type, or a System.Void Type is supplied, this method always returns null.  If a value
        ///     type
        ///     is supplied which is not publicly visible or which contains generic parameters, this method will fail with an
        ///     exception.
        /// </remarks>
        /// <example>
        ///     To use this method in its native, non-extension form, make a call like:
        ///     <code>
        ///     object Default = DefaultValue.GetDefault(someType);
        /// </code>
        ///     To use this method in its Type-extension form, make a call like:
        ///     <code>
        ///     object Default = someType.GetDefault();
        /// </code>
        /// </example>
        /// <seealso cref="GetDefault&lt;T&gt;" />
        public static object? GetDefault(this Type type)
        {
            // If no Type was supplied, if the Type was a reference type, or if the Type was a System.Void, return null
            if (type == null || !type.GetTypeInfo().IsValueType || type == typeof(void))
                return null;

            // If the supplied Type has generic parameters, its default value cannot be determined
            if (type.GetTypeInfo().ContainsGenericParameters)
                throw new ArgumentException(
                    "Error:\n\nThe supplied value type <" + type.Name +
                    "> contains generic parameters, so the default value cannot be retrieved\n\n");

            // If the Type is a primitive type, or if it is another publicly-visible value type (i.e. struct/enum), return a 
            //  default instance of the value type
            if (type.GetTypeInfo().IsPrimitive || !type.GetTypeInfo().IsNotPublic)
                try
                {
                    return Activator.CreateInstance(type);
                }
                catch (Exception e)
                {
                    throw new ArgumentException(
                        "Error:\n\nThe Activator.CreateInstance method could not " +
                        "create a default instance of the supplied value type <" + type.Name +
                        "> (Inner Exception message: \"" + e.Message + "\")");
                }

            // Fail with exception
            throw new ArgumentException("Error:\n\nThe supplied value type <" + type +
                                        "> is not a publicly-visible type, so the default value cannot be retrieved");
        }

        /// <summary>
        ///     [ <c>public static T GetDefault&lt; T &gt;()</c> ]
        ///     <para></para>
        ///     Retrieves the default value for a given Type
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The Type for which to get the default value</typeparam>
        /// <returns>The default value for Type T</returns>
        /// <remarks>
        ///     If a reference Type or a System.Void Type is supplied, this method always returns null.  If a value type
        ///     is supplied which is not publicly visible or which contains generic parameters, this method will fail with an
        ///     exception.
        /// </remarks>
        /// <seealso cref="GetDefault(Type)" />
        [return: MaybeNull]
        public static T GetDefault<T>()
        {
            return (T)GetDefault(typeof(T));
        }

        public static bool IsDefault<T>(T value)
        {
            return IsDefault(typeof(T), value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        ///     [ <c>public static bool IsObjectSetToDefault(this Type ObjectType, object ObjectValue)</c> ]
        ///     <para></para>
        ///     Reports whether a value of type T (or a null reference of type T) contains the default value for that Type
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>
        ///     Reports whether the object is empty or unitialized for a reference type or nullable value type (i.e. is null) or
        ///     whether the object contains a default value for a non-nullable value type (i.e. int = 0, bool = false, etc.)
        ///     <para></para>
        ///     NOTE: For non-nullable value types, this method introduces a boxing/unboxing performance penalty.
        /// </remarks>
        /// <param name="ObjectType">Type of the object to test</param>
        /// <param name="ObjectValue">The object value to test, or null for a reference Type or nullable value Type</param>
        /// <returns>
        ///     true = The object contains the default value for its Type.
        ///     <para></para>
        ///     false = The object has been changed from its default value.
        /// </returns>
        public static bool IsDefault(this Type ObjectType, object? ObjectValue)
        {
            // If no ObjectType was supplied, attempt to determine from ObjectValue
            if (ObjectType == null)
            {
                // If no ObjectValue was supplied, abort
                if (ObjectValue == null) throw new ArgumentNullException("Error:\n\nCannot determine the ObjectType from a null Value");

                // Determine ObjectType from ObjectValue
                ObjectType = ObjectValue.GetType();
            }

            // Get the default value of type ObjectType
            var Default = ObjectType.GetDefault();

            // If a non-null ObjectValue was supplied, compare Value with its default value and return the result
            if (ObjectValue != null)
                return ObjectValue.Equals(Default);

            // Since a null ObjectValue was supplied, report whether its default value is null
            return Default == null;
        }


        //public static TimeSpan Round(this TimeSpan timespan, TimeSpan interval)
        //{

        //    // The round number, here is a quarter... in seconds
        //    double Round = interval.TotalSeconds;

        //    // Count of round number in this total Seconds...
        //    double CountRound = (timespan.TotalSeconds / Round);

        //    // The main formula to calculate round time...
        //    int Sec = (int)(Math.Truncate(CountRound + 0.5) * Round);

        //    // Now show the result...
        //    TimeSpan tRes = new TimeSpan(0, 0, Sec);

        //    return tRes;
        //}

        public static bool IsNumeric(this Type dataType)
        {
            return dataType.IsFloatingPoint() || dataType.IsOrdinal();
        }

        public static bool IsFloatingPoint(this Type dataType)
        {
            if (dataType == null)
                return false;

            return dataType == typeof(double)
                   || dataType == typeof(float)
                   || dataType == typeof(float);
        }

        public static bool IsOrdinal(this Type dataType)
        {
            if (dataType == null)
                return false;

            return dataType == typeof(int)
                   || dataType == typeof(long)
                   || dataType == typeof(short)
                   || dataType == typeof(short)
                   || dataType == typeof(int)
                   || dataType == typeof(long)
                   || dataType == typeof(uint)
                   || dataType == typeof(ushort)
                   || dataType == typeof(uint)
                   || dataType == typeof(ulong)
                   || dataType == typeof(sbyte);
        }

        //Extension method for MailMessage to save to a file on disk
        public static string GenerateEMLFile(this MailMessage message, bool addUnsentHeader = true)
        {
            var filename = Path.ChangeExtension(Path.GetTempFileName(), ".eml");
            using (var filestream = File.Open(filename, FileMode.Create))
            {
                if (addUnsentHeader)
                {
                    var binaryWriter = new BinaryWriter(filestream);
                    //Write the Unsent header to the file so the mail client knows this mail must be presented in "New message" mode
                    binaryWriter.Write(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("X-Unsent: 1" + Environment.NewLine));
                }

                var assembly = typeof(SmtpClient).Assembly;
                var mailWriterType = assembly.GetType("System.Net.Mail.MailWriter");

                // Get reflection info for MailWriter contructor
                var mailWriterContructor =
                    mailWriterType.GetConstructor(BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic, null, new[] { typeof(Stream) }, null);

                // Construct MailWriter object with our FileStream
                var mailWriter = mailWriterContructor.Invoke(new object[] { filestream });

                // Get reflection info for Send() method on MailMessage
                var sendMethod = typeof(MailMessage).GetMethod("Send", BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic);

                sendMethod.Invoke(message, BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic, null, new[] { mailWriter, true, true }, null);

                // Finally get reflection info for Close() method on our MailWriter
                var closeMethod = mailWriter.GetType().GetMethod("Close", BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic);

                // Call close method
                closeMethod.Invoke(mailWriter, BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.NonPublic, null, new object[] { }, null);
            }

            return filename;
        }

        public static Columns<T> GetColumns<T>(Columns<T>? columns)
            => (GetColumns(typeof(T), columns) as Columns<T>)!;
        
        public static IColumns GetColumns(Type T, IColumns? columns)
        {
            //var cols = columns;
            if (columns == null || !columns.Any())
            {
                if (!_columnscache.TryGetValue(T, out var result))
                {
                    result = Columns.Create(T);
                    var props = PropertyList(T,
                        x =>
                            x.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotSerialize>() == null &&
                            x.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotPersist>() == null &&
                            x.CanWrite && x.PropertyType != typeof(UserProperties), true);
                    foreach (var prop in props)
                        result.Add(prop.Key);
                    var custom = DatabaseSchema.Properties(T).Where(x => x is CustomProperty);
                    foreach (var prop in custom)
                        result.Add(prop.Name);
                    _columnscache[T] = result;
                }

                return result;
            }

            return columns;
            //{
            //    foreach (var col in cols.Items)
            //    {
            //        try
            //        {
            //            result.Add(col.Property);

            //            //PropertyInfo prop = null;
            //            //IProperty iprop = null;
            //            //if (col.Property != null)
            //            //{
            //            //    try
            //            //    {
            //            //        iprop = DatabaseSchema.Property(typeof(T), col.Property);
            //            //    }
            //            //    catch (Exception e2)
            //            //    {
            //            //    }
            //            //    if ((iprop != null) && (iprop is CustomProperty))
            //            //        result.Add(col.Property);
            //            //    else
            //            //    {
            //            //        prop = CoreUtils.GetProperty(typeof(T), col.Property);
            //            //        if ((prop.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotSerialize>() == null) && (prop.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotPersist>() == null) && prop.CanWrite)
            //            //            result.Add(col.Property);
            //            //    }
            //            //}
            //            //else
            //            //{
            //            //    String property = CoreUtils.GetFullPropertyName((MemberExpression)col.Expression, ".");
            //            //    prop = CoreUtils.GetProperty(typeof(T), property);
            //            //    if ((prop.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotSerialize>() == null) && (prop.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotPersist>() == null) && prop.CanWrite)
            //            //        result.Add(property);
            //            //}


            //        }
            //        catch (Exception e)
            //        {

            //        }
            //    }
            //}
            //return result;
        }

        public static List<string> GetColumnNames(Type T, Func<PropertyInfo, bool> Predicate)
        {
            //var cols = columns;
            var result = new List<string>();

            var props = PropertyList(T,
                x =>
                    x.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotSerialize>() == null &&
                    x.GetCustomAttribute<DoNotPersist>() == null &&
                    x.CanWrite && x.PropertyType != typeof(UserProperties) && Predicate(x), true);
            foreach (var prop in props)
                result.Add(prop.Key);
            var custom = DatabaseSchema.Properties(T).Where(x => x is CustomProperty);
            foreach (var prop in custom)
                result.Add(prop.Name);

            return result;
        }

        public static string TypedValueToString(object value)
        {
            var type = value.GetType();
            var Culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;

            if (type == typeof(string))
                return (string)value;

            if (type == typeof(string[]))
                return Serialization.Serialize(value);

            if (IsNumeric(type))
                return string.Format(Culture.NumberFormat, "{0}", value);

            // TimeSpan - use constant pattern
            if (type == typeof(TimeSpan))
                return string.Format("{0:c}", value);

            // DateTime - use round-trip pattern
            if (type == typeof(DateTime))
                return string.Format("{0:o}", value);

            if (type == typeof(Guid))
                return ((Guid)value).ToString();

            var converter = TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(type);
            if (converter != null && converter.CanConvertTo(typeof(string)))
                return converter.ConvertToString(value);

            throw new Exception(string.Format("Cannot Convert {0} to String", type.Name));
        }

        public static object? StringToTypedValue(string value, Type type)
        {
            var Culture = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture;

            if (type == typeof(object) && string.IsNullOrEmpty(value))
                return null;

            if (type == typeof(string))
                return value;

            if (type == typeof(string[]))
                return Serialization.Deserialize<string[]>(value);

            if (type == typeof(sbyte))
                return sbyte.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(byte))
                return byte.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(ushort))
                return ushort.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(uint))
                return uint.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(ulong))
                return ulong.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(short))
                return short.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(int))
                return int.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(long))
                return long.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Integer, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(float))
                return float.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Any, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(double))
                return double.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Any, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(decimal))
                return decimal.Parse(value, NumberStyles.Any, Culture);

            if (type == typeof(TimeSpan))
                return TimeSpan.ParseExact(value, "c", null);

            if (type == typeof(DateTime))
                return DateTime.ParseExact(value, "o", null);

            if (type == typeof(Guid))
                return Guid.Parse(value);

            var converter = TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(type);
            if (converter != null && converter.CanConvertFrom(typeof(string)))
                return converter.ConvertFromString(value);

            throw new Exception(string.Format("Cannot Convert String to {0}", type.Name));
        }

        public static bool ContainsInheritedGenericType(this Type type, Type generic)
        {
            if (type == null)
                return false;
            if (type.GenericTypeArguments.Contains(generic))
                return true;
            if (type.BaseType == null)
                return false;
            return type.BaseType.ContainsInheritedGenericType(generic);
        }

        public static IEnumerable<Type> GetInheritedGenericTypeArguments(this Type type)
        {
            if (type == null)
                return new Type[] { };
            if (type.GetGenericArguments().Any())
                return type.GenericTypeArguments;
            if (type.BaseType == null)
                return new Type[] { };
            return type.BaseType.GetInheritedGenericTypeArguments();
        }
        //static readonly Regex StripQuotes = new Regex(@"&quot;", RegexOptions.Compiled);

        
        

        public static string GetCaption(this Type type, bool usedefault = true)
        {
            var attribute = type.GetCustomAttribute<Caption>();
            var result = attribute != null
                ? attribute.Text
                : usedefault
                    ? type.Name
                    : "";
            return result;
        }
        public static string? GetCaptionOrNull(this Type type, bool inherit = false)
        {
            return type.GetCustomAttribute<Caption>(inherit)?.Text;
        }

        public static string SanitiseFileName(string filename)
        {
            var invalidChars = Regex.Escape(new string(Path.GetInvalidFileNameChars()));
            var invalidReStr = string.Format(@"[{0}]+", invalidChars);

            var reservedWords = new[]
            {
                "CON", "PRN", "AUX", "CLOCK$", "NUL", "COM0", "COM1", "COM2", "COM3", "COM4",
                "COM5", "COM6", "COM7", "COM8", "COM9", "LPT0", "LPT1", "LPT2", "LPT3", "LPT4",
                "LPT5", "LPT6", "LPT7", "LPT8", "LPT9"
            };

            var sanitisedNamePart = Regex.Replace(filename, invalidReStr, "_");
            foreach (var reservedWord in reservedWords)
            {
                var reservedWordPattern = string.Format("^{0}\\.", reservedWord);
                sanitisedNamePart = Regex.Replace(sanitisedNamePart, reservedWordPattern, "_reservedWord_.", RegexOptions.IgnoreCase);
            }

            return sanitisedNamePart;
        }

        public static decimal GetPropertySequence(Type type, string column)
        {
            return DatabaseSchema.Property(type, column)?.PropertySequence() ?? 999;
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Gets the AppData folder for this application.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>The path of the AppData folder.</returns>
        public static string GetPath()
        {
            if (Assembly.GetEntryAssembly() != null)
                return Path.Combine(
                    Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData),
                    Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(Assembly.GetEntryAssembly().Location)
                );
            return Path.Combine(
                Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData),
                Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location)
            );
        }

        public static string GetCommonAppData(string? folderName = null)
        {
            folderName ??= Assembly.GetEntryAssembly() != null
                ? Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(Assembly.GetEntryAssembly().Location)
                : Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location);

            return Path.Combine(
                Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData),
                folderName
            );
        }

        public static string GetVersion()
        {
            // 2022-10-13 FVB First look in the executable directory
            var curfile = Path.Combine(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory, "version.txt");
            if (File.Exists(curfile))
                return File.ReadAllText(curfile);
            
            // Then look in the app data directory if you cannot find it
            curfile = Path.Combine(GetPath(), "version.txt");
            if (File.Exists(curfile))
                return File.ReadAllText(curfile);
            
            return "???";
            
        }

        public static string SplitCamelCase(this string value)
        {
            return string.Join(" ", Regex.Split(value, @"(?<!^)(?=[A-Z](?![A-Z]|$))")).Replace("  ", " ");
        }


        public static bool IsEffectivelyEqual(this double a, double b, double threshold = 0.00001F)
        {
            return Math.Abs(a - b) < threshold;
        }

        public static bool IsEntityLinkValid<T, U>(this CoreRow arg, Expression<Func<T, U>> expression) where U : IEntityLink
        {
            var col = CoreUtils.GetFullPropertyName(expression, ".");
            return arg.Get<Guid>(col + ".ID") != Guid.Empty && arg.Get<Guid>(col + ".Deleted") == Guid.Empty;
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets the ID of an entity link of an entity, doing a validity check (see <see cref="IsEntityLinkValid{T, U}(CoreRow, Expression{Func{T, U}})"/>)
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The entity type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="U">The entity link type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="arg">The row representing the entity of type <typeparamref name="T"/></param>
        /// <param name="expression">An expression to the entity link of type <typeparamref name="U"/></param>
        /// <returns>The ID on the entity link, or <c>null</c> if the entity link is invalid</returns>
        public static Guid? EntityLinkID<T, U>(this CoreRow arg, Expression<Func<T, U>> expression) where U : IEntityLink
        {
            var col = CoreUtils.GetFullPropertyName(expression, ".");
            var id = arg.Get<Guid>(col + ".ID");
            if (id != Guid.Empty && arg.Get<Guid>(col + ".Deleted") == Guid.Empty)
                return id;
            return null;
        }

        public static Filter<T> LinkValid<T>(this Filter<T> filter, Guid entityID = default)
        {
            var mExp = filter.Expression as MemberExpression;
            if (mExp == null)
                throw new ArgumentException("Filter expression is not a MemberExpression");

            var idExp = Expression.PropertyOrField(mExp, "ID");
            var deletedExp = Expression.PropertyOrField(mExp, "Deleted");

            filter.Expression = idExp;
            if (entityID != Guid.Empty)
                filter.IsEqualTo(entityID);
            else
                filter.IsNotEqualTo(Guid.Empty);

            var delFilter = new Filter<T>();
            delFilter.Expression = deletedExp;
            delFilter.IsEqualTo(Guid.Empty);
            filter.And(delFilter);

            return filter.Parent ?? filter;
        }

        public static Filter<T> NotLinkValid<T>(this Filter<T> filter)
        {
            var mExp = filter.Expression as MemberExpression;
            if (mExp == null)
                throw new ArgumentException("Filter expression is not a MemberExpression");

            filter.All();

            var subFilter = new Filter<T>();

            var idExp = Expression.PropertyOrField(mExp, "ID");
            var deletedExp = Expression.PropertyOrField(mExp, "Deleted");

            subFilter.Expression = idExp;
            subFilter.IsEqualTo(Guid.Empty);

            var delFilter = new Filter<T>();
            delFilter.Expression = deletedExp;
            delFilter.IsNotEqualTo(Guid.Empty);
            subFilter.Or(delFilter);
            
            filter.And(subFilter);
            return filter.Parent ?? filter;
        }

        #region DeepClone Utility

        //public static object Clone(object from)
        //{
        //    if (from == null)
        //        throw new ArgumentNullException("Source is null");
        //    if (into == null)
        //        throw new ArgumentNullException("Target is null");

        //    return DoClone(from, null);
        //}

        /// <summary>
        ///     Get the deep clone of an object.
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The type of the obj.</typeparam>
        /// <param name="from">It is the object used to deep clone.</param>
        /// <returns>Return the deep clone.</returns>
        public static T Clone<T>(T from, T into) where T : new()
        {
            if (from == null)
                throw new ArgumentNullException("Source is null");
            return (T)DoClone(from, into);
        }


        private static FieldInfo[] GetFieldInfosIncludingBaseClasses(Type type, BindingFlags bindingFlags)
        {
            var fieldInfos = type.GetFields(bindingFlags);

            // If this class doesn't have a base, don't waste any time
            if (type.BaseType == null ||
                type.BaseType == typeof(object)) return fieldInfos; // Otherwise, collect all types up to the furthest base class
            var currentType = type;
            var fieldComparer = new FieldInfoComparer();
            var fieldInfoList = new HashSet<FieldInfo>(fieldInfos, fieldComparer);
            while (currentType != typeof(object))
            {
                fieldInfos = currentType.GetFields(bindingFlags);
                fieldInfoList.UnionWith(fieldInfos);
                currentType = currentType.BaseType;
            }

            return fieldInfoList.ToArray();
        }

        private class FieldInfoComparer : IEqualityComparer<FieldInfo>
        {
            public bool Equals(FieldInfo x, FieldInfo y)
            {
                return x.DeclaringType == y.DeclaringType && x.Name == y.Name;
            }

            public int GetHashCode(FieldInfo obj)
            {
                return obj.Name.GetHashCode() ^ obj.DeclaringType.GetHashCode();
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        ///     The method implements deep clone using reflection.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="from">It is the object used to deep clone.</param>
        /// <returns>Return the deep clone.</returns>
        private static object? DoClone(object from, object? into = null)
        {
            if (from == null) return null;

            if (from is MulticastDelegate)
                return null;

            var type = from.GetType();

            // If the type of object is the value type, we will always get a new object when  
            // the original object is assigned to another variable. So if the type of the  
            // object is primitive or enum, we just return the object. We will process the  
            // struct type subsequently because the struct type may contain the reference  
            // fields. 
            // If the string variables contain the same chars, they always refer to the same  
            // string in the heap. So if the type of the object is string, we also return the  
            // object. 
            if (type.GetTypeInfo().IsPrimitive || type.GetTypeInfo().IsEnum || type == typeof(string)) return from;
            // If the type of the object is the Array, we use the CreateInstance method to get 
            // a new instance of the array. We also process recursively this method in the  
            // elements of the original array because the type of the element may be the reference  
            // type. 
            if (type.IsArray)
            {
                var basename = type.FullName.Replace("[]", "");

                var typeElement = Type.GetType(basename);
                if (typeElement == null)
                    typeElement = FindType(basename);

                var array = (from as Array)!; // not-null because type.IsArray
                var copiedArray = Array.CreateInstance(typeElement, array.Length);
                for (var i = 0; i < array.Length; i++)
                    // Get the deep clone of the element in the original array and assign the  
                    // clone to the new array. 
                    copiedArray.SetValue(DoClone(array.GetValue(i)), i);
                return copiedArray;
            }
            // If the type of the object is class or struct, it may contain the reference fields,  
            // so we use reflection and process recursively this method in the fields of the object  
            // to get the deep clone of the object.  
            // We use Type.IsValueType method here because there is no way to indicate directly whether  
            // the Type is a struct type. 

            if (type.GetTypeInfo().IsClass || type.GetTypeInfo().IsValueType)
            {
                var copiedObject = into;
                if (copiedObject == null)
                    try
                    {
                        copiedObject = Activator.CreateInstance(from.GetType());
                    }
                    catch (Exception e)
                    {
                        Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
                    }

                if (copiedObject != null)
                {
                    // Get all FieldInfo. 
                    var fields = GetFieldInfosIncludingBaseClasses(type.GetTypeInfo(),
                        BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.NonPublic | BindingFlags.Instance);
                    foreach (var field in fields.Where(x => !x.IsNotSerialized))
                    {
                        var fieldValue = field.GetValue(from);
                        if (fieldValue != null)
                            // Get the deep clone of the field in the original object and assign the  
                            // clone to the field in the new object. 
                            field.SetValue(copiedObject, DoClone(fieldValue));
                    }
                }

                return copiedObject;
            }

            throw new ArgumentException("The object is unknown type");
        }

        #endregion

        #region DeepCompare Utility

        public static bool CompareObjects(string prefix, object inputObjectA, object inputObjectB, string[] ignorePropertiesList,
            List<Tuple<string, object?, object?>> results)
        {
            var areObjectsEqual = true;
            //check if both objects are not null before starting comparing children
            if (inputObjectA != null && inputObjectB != null)
            {
                //create variables to store object values
                object value1, value2;

                var properties = inputObjectA.GetType().GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance);

                //get all public properties of the object using reflection  
                foreach (var propertyInfo in properties)
                {
                    var name = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(prefix) ? propertyInfo.Name : prefix + "." + propertyInfo.Name;

                    //if it is not a readable property or if it is a ignorable property
                    //ingore it and move on
                    if (!propertyInfo.CanRead || ignorePropertiesList.Contains(name))
                        continue;

                    //get the property values of both the objects
                    value1 = propertyInfo.GetValue(inputObjectA, null);
                    value2 = propertyInfo.GetValue(inputObjectB, null);

                    // if the objects are primitive types such as (integer, string etc)
                    //that implement IComparable, we can just directly try and compare the value     
                    if (IsAssignableFrom(propertyInfo.PropertyType) || IsPrimitiveType(propertyInfo.PropertyType) ||
                        IsValueType(propertyInfo.PropertyType))
                    {
                        //compare the values
                        if (!CompareValues(name, value1, value2, results))
                        {
                            //Console.WriteLine("Property Name {0}", propertyInfo.Name);
                            areObjectsEqual = false;
                        }
                    }
                    //if the property is a collection (or something that implements IEnumerable)
                    //we have to iterate through all items and compare values
                    else if (IsEnumerableType(propertyInfo.PropertyType))
                    {
                        //Console.WriteLine("Property Name {0}", propertyInfo.Name);
                        if (!CompareEnumerations(name, value1, value2, ignorePropertiesList, results))
                            areObjectsEqual = false;
                    }
                    //if it is a class object, call the same function recursively again
                    else if (propertyInfo.PropertyType.IsClass)
                    {
                        if (!CompareObjects(name, propertyInfo.GetValue(inputObjectA, null), propertyInfo.GetValue(inputObjectB, null),
                                ignorePropertiesList, results))
                            areObjectsEqual = false;
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        areObjectsEqual = false;
                    }
                }
            }
            else
            {
                areObjectsEqual = false;
            }

            return areObjectsEqual;
        }

        //true if c and the current Type represent the same type, or if the current Type is in the inheritance
        //hierarchy of c, or if the current Type is an interface that c implements,
        //or if c is a generic type parameter and the current Type represents one of the constraints of c. false if none of these conditions are true, or if c is null.
        private static bool IsAssignableFrom(Type type)
        {
            return typeof(IComparable).IsAssignableFrom(type);
        }

        private static bool IsPrimitiveType(Type type)
        {
            return type.IsPrimitive;
        }

        private static bool IsValueType(Type type)
        {
            return type.IsValueType;
        }

        private static bool IsEnumerableType(Type type)
        {
            return typeof(IEnumerable).IsAssignableFrom(type);
        }

        /// <summary>
        ///     Compares two values and returns if they are the same.
        /// </summary>
        private static bool CompareValues(string name, object? value1, object? value2, List<Tuple<string, object?, object?>> results)
        {
            var areValuesEqual = true;
            var selfValueComparer = value1 as IComparable;

            // one of the values is null            
            if ((value1 == null && value2 != null) || (value1 != null && value2 == null))
                areValuesEqual = false;
            else if (selfValueComparer != null && selfValueComparer.CompareTo(value2) != 0)
                areValuesEqual = false;
            else if (!Equals(value1, value2))
                areValuesEqual = false;

            if (!areValuesEqual)
                results.Add(new Tuple<string, object?, object?>(name, value1, value2));

            return areValuesEqual;
        }

        private static bool CompareEnumerations(string name, object value1, object value2, string[] ignorePropertiesList,
            List<Tuple<string, object?, object?>> results)
        {
            // if one of the values is null, no need to proceed return false;
            if (value1 == null && value2 != null)
            {
                results.Add(new Tuple<string, object?, object?>(string.Format("{0}.Null", name), true, false));
                return false;
            }

            if (value1 != null && value2 == null)
            {
                results.Add(new Tuple<string, object?, object?>(string.Format("{0}.Null", name), false, true));
                return false;
            }

            if (value1 != null && value2 != null)
            {
                IEnumerable<object> enumValue1, enumValue2;
                enumValue1 = ((IEnumerable)value1).Cast<object>();
                enumValue2 = ((IEnumerable)value2).Cast<object>();

                // if the items count are different return false
                if (enumValue1.Count() != enumValue2.Count())
                {
                    results.Add(new Tuple<string, object?, object?>(string.Format("{0}.Count", name), enumValue1.Count(), enumValue2.Count()));
                    return false;
                }
                // if the count is same, compare individual item

                object enumValue1Item, enumValue2Item;
                Type enumValue1ItemType;
                for (var itemIndex = 0; itemIndex < enumValue1.Count(); itemIndex++)
                {
                    enumValue1Item = enumValue1.ElementAt(itemIndex);
                    enumValue2Item = enumValue2.ElementAt(itemIndex);
                    enumValue1ItemType = enumValue1Item.GetType();
                    if (IsAssignableFrom(enumValue1ItemType) || IsPrimitiveType(enumValue1ItemType) || IsValueType(enumValue1ItemType))
                    {
                        if (!CompareValues(string.Format("{0}[{1}]", name, itemIndex), enumValue1Item, enumValue2Item, results))
                            return false;
                    }
                    else if (!CompareObjects(name, enumValue1Item, enumValue2Item, ignorePropertiesList, results))
                    {
                        return false;
                    }
                }
            }

            return true;
        }

        #endregion

        #region Expression Serialisation

        public static string MemberExpressionToString(MemberExpression mExpression)
        {
            var mOriginal = mExpression;

            var path = "";
            while (true)
            {
                if (mExpression.Expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
                {
                    var propInfo = mExpression.Expression
                        .GetType().GetTypeInfo().GetProperty("Member");
                    var propValue = (propInfo.GetValue(mExpression.Expression, null) as PropertyInfo)!;
                    path = propValue.Name + "." + path;

                    mExpression = (mExpression.Expression as MemberExpression)!;
                }
                else if (mExpression.Expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.Convert)
                {
                    mExpression = MemberExpression.PropertyOrField((mExpression.Expression as UnaryExpression)?.Operand as MemberExpression, mExpression.Member.Name);
                }
                else
                {
                    break;
                }
            }

            return path + mOriginal.Member.Name;
        }

        private enum SerialisedExpressionType
        {
            Member,
            Index,
            Parameter
        }

        public static void SerialiseExpression(this CoreBinaryWriter writer, Type t, Expression expression, bool includeType)
        {
            if (includeType)
            {
                writer.Write(t.EntityName());
            }
            if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
            {
                writer.Write((byte)SerialisedExpressionType.Member);
                writer.Write(MemberExpressionToString((expression as MemberExpression)!));
            }
            else if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.Index)
            {
                writer.Write((byte)SerialisedExpressionType.Index);

                var iexp = (IndexExpression)expression;
                var sexp = expression.ToString().Split('[');
                writer.Write(sexp[0]); // Member
                writer.Write(sexp[1].Replace("]", "").Replace("\"", "")); // Key
            }
            else
            {
                writer.Write((byte)SerialisedExpressionType.Parameter);
            }
        }
        public static Expression DeserialiseExpression(this CoreBinaryReader reader, Type t)
        {
            var expressionType = (SerialisedExpressionType)reader.ReadByte();
            switch (expressionType)
            {
                case SerialisedExpressionType.Member:
                    var member = reader.ReadString();
                    return CreateMemberExpression(t, member);
                case SerialisedExpressionType.Index:
                    member = reader.ReadString();
                    var key = reader.ReadString();
                    return CreateIndexExpression(t, member, key);
                case SerialisedExpressionType.Parameter:
                default:
                    return Expression.Parameter(t, "x");
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Deserialise the expression, with type information included in the serialised form.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="reader"></param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        public static Expression DeserialiseExpression(this CoreBinaryReader reader)
        {
            var entityName = reader.ReadString();
            var t = GetEntity(entityName);
            return reader.DeserialiseExpression(t);
        }
        
        public static string ExpressionToString<T,TType>(Expression<Func<T, TType>> expression)
            => ExpressionToString(typeof(T), expression);

        public static string ExpressionToString(Type t, Expression expression)
        {
            if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
            {
                var mexp = (MemberExpression)expression;
                var morg = (MemberExpression)expression;

                var Path = "";
                while (mexp.Expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
                {
                    var propInfo = mexp.Expression
                        .GetType().GetTypeInfo().GetProperty("Member");
                    var propValue = propInfo.GetValue(mexp.Expression, null)
                        as PropertyInfo;
                    Path = propValue.Name + "." + Path;

                    mexp = mexp.Expression as MemberExpression;
                }

                return Path + morg.Member.Name;
            }
            else if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.Index)
            {
                var iexp = (IndexExpression)expression;
                var sexp = expression.ToString().Split('[');
                return sexp[0];
            }

            return expression.ToString();
        }
        
        public static string ExpressionToString(Type t, Expression expression, bool includetype)
        {
            var result = new Dictionary<string, string>();
            if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
            {
                var mexp = (expression as MemberExpression)!;
                result["Member"] = MemberExpressionToString(mexp);
            }
            else if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.Index)
            {
                var iexp = (IndexExpression)expression;
                var sexp = expression.ToString().Split('[');
                result["Member"] = sexp[0];
                result["Key"] = sexp[1].Replace("]", "").Replace("\"", "");
            }

            result["Type"] = t.EntityName();
            return JsonConvert.SerializeObject(result);

            //ExpressionSerializer ser = new ExpressionSerializer(new Serialize.Linq.Serializers.JsonSerializer(),new Serialize.Linq.Factories.FactorySettings() { UseRelaxedTypeNames=true } );
            //String result = ser.SerializeText(expression);
            //return result;

            //if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
            //{
            //    MemberExpression memberExpression = expression as MemberExpression;
            //    MemberExpression memberExpressionOrg = memberExpression as MemberExpression;

            //    string Path = "";
            //    while (memberExpression.Expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.MemberAccess)
            //    {
            //        var propInfo = memberExpression.Expression
            //            .GetType().GetTypeInfo().GetProperty("Member");
            //        var propValue = propInfo.GetValue(memberExpression.Expression, null)
            //            as PropertyInfo;
            //        Path = propValue.Name + "." + Path;

            //        memberExpression = memberExpression.Expression as MemberExpression;
            //    }
            //    if (includetype)
            //        return t.FullName + " => " + Path + memberExpressionOrg.Member.Name;
            //    else
            //        return Path + memberExpressionOrg.Member.Name;
            //}
            //else if (expression.NodeType == ExpressionType.Index)
            //{
            //    if (includetype)
            //        return t.FullName + " => " + expression.ToString();
            //    else
            //        return expression.ToString();
            //}
            //else
            //{
            //    if (includetype)
            //        return t.FullName + " => " + expression.ToString();
            //    else
            //        return expression.ToString();
            //}
        }

        public static Expression StringToExpression(string expression)
        {
            var comps = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Dictionary<string, string>>(expression);
            var t = GetEntity(comps["Type"]);
            if (comps.TryGetValue("Key", out var key))
                return CreateIndexExpression(t, comps["Member"], key);
            else if (comps.TryGetValue("Member", out var member))
                return CreateMemberExpression(t, member);
            else
                return Expression.Parameter(t, "x");

            //ExpressionSerializer ser = new ExpressionSerializer(new Serialize.Linq.Serializers.JsonSerializer(), new Serialize.Linq.Factories.FactorySettings() { UseRelaxedTypeNames = true });
            //Expression result = ser.DeserializeText(expression);
            //return result;

            //String[] comps = expression.Split(new String[] { " => " }, StringSplitOptions.None);
            //Type type = comps.Length > 1 ? CoreUtils.GetEntity(comps[0]) : t;
            //return CreateExpression(type, comps[comps.Length - 1]);
        }

        public static Expression<Func<T, object?>> CreateLambdaExpression<T>(string column)
        {
            var parameter = Expression.Parameter(typeof(T), "x");
            var property = CreateMemberExpression(typeof(T), column);
            var converted = Expression.Convert(property, typeof(object));
            //var property = Expression.Convert(Expression.Property(parameter, column),typeof(object));
            return Expression.Lambda<Func<T, object?>>(converted, parameter);
        }
        
        public static Expression<Func<T, TType>> CreateLambdaExpression<T,TType>(string column)
        {
            var parameter = Expression.Parameter(typeof(T), "x");
            var property = CreateMemberExpression(typeof(T), column);
            var result = Expression.Lambda<Func<T, TType>>(property, parameter);
            return result;
        }

        public static Expression ConvertExpression(Type source, Expression lambda, Type target, Expression anchor)
        {
            var parent = ExpressionToString(target, anchor, false);
            var child = ExpressionToString(source, lambda, false);
            var property = string.Join(".", parent, child);
            return CreateMemberExpression(target, property);
        }


        public static Expression CreateMemberExpression(Type type, string propertyName)
        {
            var param = Expression.Parameter(type, "x");
            Expression body = param;
            foreach (var member in propertyName.Split('.')) body = Expression.PropertyOrField(body, member);
            return (MemberExpression)body;
        }

        public static IndexExpression CreateIndexExpression(Type type, string propertyname, string key)
        {
            var param = Expression.Parameter(type, "x");
            var propmod = propertyname.Replace("x.", "").Replace(".Item", "");
            var bar = Expression.Property(param, propmod);

            var dictionaryType = type.GetProperty(propmod).PropertyType;
            var indexerProp = dictionaryType.GetProperty("Item");
            var dictKeyConstant = Expression.Constant(key);
            var dictAccess = Expression.MakeIndex(bar, indexerProp, new[] { dictKeyConstant });
            return dictAccess;
            //var propertyType = indexerProp.PropertyType;
            //var right = Expression.Constant(Convert.ChangeType("newValue", propertyType));
            //var expression = Expression.MakeBinary(ExpressionType.Equal, dictAccess, right);
        }

        public static MemberExpression ExtractMemberExpression<T>(Expression<Func<T, object?>> expression)
        {
            if(!TryFindMemberExpression(expression.Body, out var me))
            {
                throw new Exception("Expression is not a member expression!");
            }
            return me;
        }
        public static MemberExpression ExtractMemberExpression<T, TValue>(Expression<Func<T, TValue>> expression)
        {
            TryFindMemberExpression(expression.Body, out var me);
            return me;
        }

        public static MemberExpression ExtractMemberExpression(Expression expression)
        {
            TryFindMemberExpression(Expression.Lambda(expression).Body, out var me);
            return me;
        }

        #endregion

        public static string FormatException(Exception err)
        {
            var messages = new List<string>();
            var e2 = err;
            while (e2 != null)
            {
                messages.InsertRange(0, new[] { e2.Message, e2.StackTrace, "============================================" });
                e2 = e2.InnerException;
            }
            return string.Join("\n", messages);
        }

        public static void LogException(string userid, Exception err, string? extra = null)
        {
            Logger.Send(LogType.Error, userid, (extra != null ? $"{extra}: " : "") + CoreUtils.FormatException(err));
        }

        #region OneToMany Relationships

        public static Type? GetOneToMany(Type TMany, Type TOne)
        {
            var o2m = TMany.GetInterfaces().FirstOrDefault(i =>
                i.IsGenericType && i.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(IOneToMany<>)
                                && i.GenericTypeArguments.Contains(TOne)
            );
            return o2m;
        }
        public static PropertyInfo GetOneToManyProperty(Type TMany, Type TOne)
        {
            return TMany.GetProperties().FirstOrDefault(x =>
                x.PropertyType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEntityLink))
                && x.PropertyType.GetInheritedGenericTypeArguments().FirstOrDefault() == TOne
                && !Attribute.IsDefined(x, typeof(ObsoleteAttribute))
            );
        }

        #endregion

        #region ManyToMany Relationships
        public static Type? GetManyToMany(Type TManyToMany, Type TThis)
        {
            var m2m = TManyToMany.GetInterfaces().FirstOrDefault(i =>
                i.IsGenericType && i.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(IManyToMany<,>)
                                && i.GenericTypeArguments.Contains(TThis)
            );
            return m2m;
        }

        public static Type GetManyToManyOtherType(Type TManyToMany, Type TThis)
        {
            var m2m = TManyToMany.GetInterfaces().FirstOrDefault(i =>
                i.IsGenericType && i.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(IManyToMany<,>)
                                && i.GenericTypeArguments.Contains(TThis)
            );
            return m2m.GenericTypeArguments.FirstOrDefault(x => x != TThis);
        }

        public static PropertyInfo GetManyToManyThisProperty(Type TManyToMany, Type TThis)
        {
            return TManyToMany.GetProperties().FirstOrDefault(x =>
                x.PropertyType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEntityLink))
                && x.PropertyType.GetInheritedGenericTypeArguments().FirstOrDefault() == TThis
                && !Attribute.IsDefined(x, typeof(ObsoleteAttribute))
            );
        }

        public static PropertyInfo GetManyToManyOtherProperty(Type TManyToMany, Type TThis)
        {
            var otherType = GetManyToManyOtherType(TManyToMany, TThis);
            return TManyToMany.GetProperties().FirstOrDefault(x =>
                x.PropertyType.GetInterfaces().Contains(typeof(IEntityLink))
                && x.PropertyType.GetInheritedGenericTypeArguments().FirstOrDefault() == otherType
                && !Attribute.IsDefined(x, typeof(ObsoleteAttribute))
            );
        }
        #endregion
        
        /// <summary>
        /// Get a dictionary of values representing the current state of an entity
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="item">The Entity being scanned</param>
        /// <param name="props">The list of properties to scan, or null for all</param>
        /// <returns>A dictionary containing the properties and values for the entity</returns>
        public static Dictionary<string, object?> GetValues(BaseObject item, IEnumerable<IProperty>? props = null)
        {
            var result = new Dictionary<string, object?>();
            props ??= DatabaseSchema.Properties(item.GetType());//.Where(x => !(x.Editor is NullEditor));
            foreach (var prop in props)
                if (prop is CustomProperty)
                    try
                    {
                        result[prop.Name] = item.UserProperties[prop.Name];
                    }
                    catch (Exception e)
                    {
                        Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
                    }
                else
                    try
                    {
                        object? value;
                        var getter = prop.Getter();
                        if (getter != null)
                            value = getter.Invoke(item);
                        else
                            value = CoreUtils.GetPropertyValue(item, prop.Name);
                        result[prop.Name] = value;
                    }
                    catch (Exception e)
                    {
                        Logger.Send(LogType.Error, "", string.Format("*** Unknown Error: {0}\n{1}", e.Message, e.StackTrace));
                    }

            return result;
        }
        
        /// <summary>
        /// Given a certain entity, merge the changes with the current state of the entity into an updated list
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="item">Th Entity being updated</param>
        /// <param name="previous">The previous set of changes to this entity</param>
        /// <param name="props">The list of properties to scan, or null for all</param>
        /// <param name="changes">The resulting updated list of changes</param>
        public static void MergeChanges(Dictionary<string, object?> previous, Dictionary<string, object?> current, Dictionary<string, object?> changes)
        {
            foreach (var (key, prevVal) in previous)
                if (prevVal is null)
                {
                    if (current[key] != null)
                        changes[key] = current[key];
                }
                else
                {
                    if (!current.TryGetValue(key, out var curVal) || curVal is null)
                        changes[key] = null;
                    else if (!object.Equals(previous[key], curVal))
                        changes[key] = curVal;
                }
        }

        public static Dictionary<String, object?> MonitorChanges<T>(T item, Action action, Dictionary<String, object?>? changes = null, IEnumerable<IProperty>? props = null) where T : BaseObject
        {
            var result = changes == null
                ? new Dictionary<String, object?>()
                : changes;
            var previous = GetValues(item, props);
            action.Invoke();
            var current = GetValues(item, props);
            MergeChanges(previous, current, result);
            return result;
        }
        

        public static DateTime StartOfWeek(this DateTime dt, DayOfWeek startOfWeek)
        {
            int diff = (7 + (dt.DayOfWeek - startOfWeek)) % 7;
            return dt.AddDays(-1 * diff).Date;
        }

        #region String Utilities

        /// <summary>
        /// Check if <paramref name="s"/> <see cref="string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(string)"/>.
        /// If it is empty, returns <paramref name="def"/>, otherwise, returns <paramref name="s"/>.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>
        /// Basically the null-coalescing operator ?? for strings.
        /// </remarks>
        /// <param name="s"></param>
        /// <param name="def"></param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        [return: NotNullIfNotNull("def")]
        public static string? NotWhiteSpaceOr(this string? s, string? def = null)
        {
            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(s))
            {
                return def;
            }
            return s;
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Extension method version of <see cref="string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(string)"/>.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="s">The string to check</param>
        /// <returns>true if <paramref name="s"/> is <see langword="null"/> or composed only of whitespace.</returns>
        [MethodImpl(MethodImplOptions.AggressiveInlining)]
        public static bool IsNullOrWhiteSpace([NotNullWhen(false)] this string? s)
        {
            return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(s);
        }

        public static bool IsBase64String(this string s)
        {
            s = s.Trim();
            return s.Length % 4 == 0 && Regex.IsMatch(s, @"^[a-zA-Z0-9\+/]*={0,3}$", RegexOptions.None);
        }

        public static string CalculateCRC(byte[] data)
        {
            var hash = Crc32.Compute(data);
            return string.Format("{0:X8}", hash);
        }

        public static string StripHTML(this string? html)
        {
            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(html))
                return "";

            var result = StripHtmlStyles.Replace(html, "");
            result = StripHtmlTags.Replace(result, "");
            result = StripSpecialCharacters.Replace(result, "");
            //result = StripQuotes.Replace(result, "\"");
            result = StripLineBreaks.Replace(result, "$1");
            result = result.Replace("\0", "").Trim();
            return result;
        }

        private static Regex NeatifyRegex = new Regex(@"
                (?<=[A-Z])(?=[A-Z][a-z]) |
                 (?<=[^A-Z])(?=[A-Z]) |
                 (?<=[A-Za-z])(?=[^A-Za-z])", RegexOptions.IgnorePatternWhitespace);
        public static string Neatify(string caption)
        {
            if (string.Equals(caption, "ID"))
                return caption;

            var result = NeatifyRegex.Replace(caption.Replace(".", ""), " ");

            while (result.Contains("  "))
                result = result.Replace("  ", " ");

            if (result.EndsWith(" ID"))
                result = string.Join(" ", result.Split(' ').Reverse().Skip(1).Reverse());

            return result.Trim();
        }

        public static string Codify(string? text)
        {

            char[] numbers = new char[] { '0', '1', '2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9' };

            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(text))
                return "??";

            var result = "";
            var comps = text.ToUpper().Split(' ');
            foreach (var comp in comps)
            {
                List<char> chars = new List<char>();
                foreach (char c in comp.ToCharArray())
                {
                    chars.Add(c);
                    if (!numbers.Contains(c))
                        break;
                }
                var comb = new String(chars.ToArray());
                result += comb;
            }
            return string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(result) ? "??" : result;
        }

        #endregion

        #region IEnumerable Utilities

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns <paramref name="enumerable"/> as a <see cref="List{T}"/>;
        /// if it is already a <see cref="List{T}"/>, it is directly returned, instead of copying.
        /// </summary>
        public static List<T> AsList<T>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable)
        {
            if(enumerable is List<T> list)
            {
                return list;
            }
            return enumerable.ToList<T>();
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns <paramref name="enumerable"/> as an <see cref="IList{T}"/>;
        /// if it is already a <see cref="IList{T}"/>, it is directly returned, instead of copying.
        /// </summary>
        public static IList<T> AsIList<T>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable)
        {
            if (enumerable is IList<T> list)
            {
                return list;
            }
            return enumerable.ToList<T>();
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns <paramref name="enumerable"/> as an array;
        /// if it is already an array, it is directly returned, instead of copying.
        /// </summary>
        public static T[] AsArray<T>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable)
        {
            if (enumerable is T[] arr)
            {
                return arr;
            }
            return enumerable.ToArray<T>();
        }

        public static IEnumerable<T> AnyOr<T>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable, IEnumerable<T> or)
        {
            var any = false;
            foreach(var item in enumerable)
            {
                any = true;
                yield return item;
            }
            if (!any)
            {
                foreach(var item in or)
                {
                    yield return item;
                }
            }
        }

        public static IEnumerable<T> One<T>(T item)
        {
            yield return item;
        }
        public static IEnumerable<T> One<T>(Func<T> fnc)
        {
            yield return fnc();
        }

        public static (List<T>, List<T>) PartitionToList<T>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable, Func<T, bool> predicate)
        {
            var trueResult = new List<T>();
            var falseResult = new List<T>();
            foreach(var item in enumerable)
            {
                if (predicate(item))
                {
                    trueResult.Add(item);
                }
                else
                {
                    falseResult.Add(item);
                }
            }
            return (trueResult, falseResult);
        }

        public static TValue GetValueOrAdd<TKey, TValue>(this IDictionary<TKey, TValue> dictionary, TKey key)
            where TValue : new()
        {
            if(!dictionary.TryGetValue(key, out var value))
            {
                value = new TValue();
                dictionary.Add(key, value);
            }
            return value;
        }

        public static IEnumerable<T> NotNull<T>(this IEnumerable<T?> enumerable)
            where T : struct
        {
            foreach(var obj in enumerable)
            {
                if (obj.HasValue)
                {
                    yield return obj.Value;
                }
            }
        }
        public static IEnumerable<T> NotNull<T>(this IEnumerable<T?> enumerable)
            where T : class
        {
            foreach (var obj in enumerable)
            {
                if (obj != null)
                {
                    yield return obj;
                }
            }
        }
        public static IEnumerable<TValue> NotNull<T, TValue>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable, Func<T, TValue?> f)
            where TValue : struct
        {
            foreach (var obj in enumerable)
            {
                var v = f(obj);
                if (v.HasValue)
                {
                    yield return v.Value;
                }
            }
        }
        public static IEnumerable<TValue> NotNull<T, TValue>(this IEnumerable<T> enumerable, Func<T, TValue?> f)
            where TValue : class
        {
            foreach (var obj in enumerable)
            {
                var v = f(obj);
                if (v != null)
                {
                    yield return v;
                }
            }
        }

        #endregion

    }
}