C#Enum
C# Enums
Anenum is a special "class" that represents a group ofconstants (unchangeable/read-only variables).
To create anenum, use theenum keyword (instead of class or interface), and separate the enum items with a comma:
Example
enum Level { Low, Medium, High}You can accessenum items with thedot syntax:
Level myVar = Level.Medium;Console.WriteLine(myVar);Enum is short for "enumerations", which means "specifically listed".
Enum inside a Class
You can also have anenum inside a class:
Example
class Program{ enum Level { Low, Medium, High } static void Main(string[] args) { Level myVar = Level.Medium; Console.WriteLine(myVar); }}The output will be:
MediumEnum Values
By default, the first item of an enum has the value 0. The second has the value 1, and so on.
To get the integer value from an item, you mustexplicitly convert the item to anint:
Example
enum Months{ January, // 0 February, // 1 March, // 2 April, // 3 May, // 4 June, // 5 July // 6}static void Main(string[] args){ int myNum = (int) Months.April; Console.WriteLine(myNum);}The output will be:
3You can also assign your own enum values, and the next items will update their numbers accordingly:
Example
enum Months{ January, // 0 February, // 1 March=6, // 6 April, // 7 May, // 8 June, // 9 July // 10}static void Main(string[] args){ int myNum = (int) Months.April; Console.WriteLine(myNum);}The output will be:
7Enum in a Switch Statement
Enums are often used inswitch statements to check for corresponding values:
Example
enum Level { Low, Medium, High}static void Main(string[] args) { Level myVar = Level.Medium; switch(myVar) { case Level.Low: Console.WriteLine("Low level"); break; case Level.Medium: Console.WriteLine("Medium level"); break; case Level.High: Console.WriteLine("High level"); break; }}The output will be:
Medium levelWhy And When To Use Enums?
Use enums when you have values that you know aren't going to change, like month days, days, colors, deck of cards, etc.
