C# Enum
C# Enums
An enum is a special "class" that represents a group of
constants (unchangeable/read-only variables).
To create an enum, use the enum keyword (instead of class or interface), and separate
the enum items with a comma:
Example
enum Level
{
Low,
Medium,
High
}
You can access enum items with the dot 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 an enum 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:
Medium
Enum 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 must explicitly convert the item to an
int:
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:
3
You can also assign your own enum values, and the next items will update the number 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:
7
Enum in a Switch Statement
Enums are often used in switch 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 level
Why 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.
