C#: Casting from generic to value type -

i have method parses string , converts result generic type.
example (pseudo code):

let s string.. , value generic type if (generictype == int) value = int.parse(s); else if (generictype == float) value = float.parse(s); 

the problem can't cast work:

t value; if (typeof(t) == typeof(float)) {     var = 1.0f;     value =       // doesn't compile     value = t; // doesn't compile     value = (t)a;   // doesn't compile } 

what not understand know fact t float in code, can't write float it.

the goal parse numbers of different types strings. in each case, know sure type, there no question of handling passing wrong type, etc.

i trying see if can have single method, generic instead of several ones.

i can do:

value = parseint(s); value = parsefloat(s); etc... 

but trying do:

value = parse<int>(s); value = parse<float>(s); etc... 

once again, there no question of mismatch between type of 'value' , type passed generic.

i make generic class , override method parsing, thought there way in single method.

this compile , cast result t:

value = (t)(object)a;