Get int value from enum in C#












1472














I have a class called Questions (plural). In this class there is an enum called Question (singular) which looks like this.



public enum Question
{
Role = 2,
ProjectFunding = 3,
TotalEmployee = 4,
NumberOfServers = 5,
TopBusinessConcern = 6
}


In the Questions class, I have a get(int foo) function that returns a Questions object for that foo. Is there an easy way to get the integer value from the enum so I can do something like Questions.Get(Question.Role)?










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  • 23




    For the other way around: cast-int-to-enum-in-c-sharp.
    – nawfal
    Jun 9 '13 at 11:54






  • 6




    I know I'm late to the party, but instead of defining your method as get(int foo) you can define it as get(Question foo) then do your casting inside the method, the you can call your method as Questions.Get(Question.Role)
    – Joe
    Feb 7 '17 at 15:10
















1472














I have a class called Questions (plural). In this class there is an enum called Question (singular) which looks like this.



public enum Question
{
Role = 2,
ProjectFunding = 3,
TotalEmployee = 4,
NumberOfServers = 5,
TopBusinessConcern = 6
}


In the Questions class, I have a get(int foo) function that returns a Questions object for that foo. Is there an easy way to get the integer value from the enum so I can do something like Questions.Get(Question.Role)?










share|improve this question




















  • 23




    For the other way around: cast-int-to-enum-in-c-sharp.
    – nawfal
    Jun 9 '13 at 11:54






  • 6




    I know I'm late to the party, but instead of defining your method as get(int foo) you can define it as get(Question foo) then do your casting inside the method, the you can call your method as Questions.Get(Question.Role)
    – Joe
    Feb 7 '17 at 15:10














1472












1472








1472


166





I have a class called Questions (plural). In this class there is an enum called Question (singular) which looks like this.



public enum Question
{
Role = 2,
ProjectFunding = 3,
TotalEmployee = 4,
NumberOfServers = 5,
TopBusinessConcern = 6
}


In the Questions class, I have a get(int foo) function that returns a Questions object for that foo. Is there an easy way to get the integer value from the enum so I can do something like Questions.Get(Question.Role)?










share|improve this question















I have a class called Questions (plural). In this class there is an enum called Question (singular) which looks like this.



public enum Question
{
Role = 2,
ProjectFunding = 3,
TotalEmployee = 4,
NumberOfServers = 5,
TopBusinessConcern = 6
}


In the Questions class, I have a get(int foo) function that returns a Questions object for that foo. Is there an easy way to get the integer value from the enum so I can do something like Questions.Get(Question.Role)?







c# enums casting int






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share|improve this question








edited Feb 27 at 15:05









Sae1962

545821




545821










asked Jun 3 '09 at 6:46









jim

9,203124364




9,203124364








  • 23




    For the other way around: cast-int-to-enum-in-c-sharp.
    – nawfal
    Jun 9 '13 at 11:54






  • 6




    I know I'm late to the party, but instead of defining your method as get(int foo) you can define it as get(Question foo) then do your casting inside the method, the you can call your method as Questions.Get(Question.Role)
    – Joe
    Feb 7 '17 at 15:10














  • 23




    For the other way around: cast-int-to-enum-in-c-sharp.
    – nawfal
    Jun 9 '13 at 11:54






  • 6




    I know I'm late to the party, but instead of defining your method as get(int foo) you can define it as get(Question foo) then do your casting inside the method, the you can call your method as Questions.Get(Question.Role)
    – Joe
    Feb 7 '17 at 15:10








23




23




For the other way around: cast-int-to-enum-in-c-sharp.
– nawfal
Jun 9 '13 at 11:54




For the other way around: cast-int-to-enum-in-c-sharp.
– nawfal
Jun 9 '13 at 11:54




6




6




I know I'm late to the party, but instead of defining your method as get(int foo) you can define it as get(Question foo) then do your casting inside the method, the you can call your method as Questions.Get(Question.Role)
– Joe
Feb 7 '17 at 15:10




I know I'm late to the party, but instead of defining your method as get(int foo) you can define it as get(Question foo) then do your casting inside the method, the you can call your method as Questions.Get(Question.Role)
– Joe
Feb 7 '17 at 15:10












25 Answers
25






active

oldest

votes


















1915














Just cast the enum, e.g.



int something = (int) Question.Role;


The above will work for the vast majority of enums you see in the wild, as the default underlying type for an enum is int.



However, as cecilphillip points out, enums can have different underlying types.
If an enum is declared as a uint, long, or ulong, it should be cast to the type of the enum; e.g. for



enum StarsInMilkyWay:long {Sun = 1, V645Centauri = 2 .. Wolf424B = 2147483649};


you should use



long something = (long)StarsInMilkyWay.Wolf424B;





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  • 123




    Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
    – Harry
    Jun 13 '12 at 10:45






  • 22




    @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
    – Jaider
    Jun 28 '12 at 20:47






  • 29




    @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
    – Sinthia V
    Jul 26 '12 at 19:02






  • 43




    @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
    – Paul Ridgway
    Aug 17 '12 at 18:30






  • 5




    If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
    – quaylar
    Oct 29 '13 at 16:14



















255














Since Enums can be any integral type (byte, int, short, etc.), a more robust way to get the underlying integral value of the enum would be to make use of the GetTypeCode method in conjunction with the Convert class:



enum Sides {
Left, Right, Top, Bottom
}
Sides side = Sides.Bottom;

object val = Convert.ChangeType(side, side.GetTypeCode());
Console.WriteLine(val);


This should work regardless of the underlying integral type.






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  • 25




    This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
    – aboy021
    Jul 5 '11 at 23:20






  • 1




    How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
    – Mark Lakata
    Nov 9 '12 at 2:15






  • 2




    I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
    – Mesh
    Oct 23 '13 at 8:20






  • 2




    @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
    – NickG
    Mar 24 '15 at 9:42






  • 2




    @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
    – NickG
    Mar 24 '15 at 9:46



















167














Declare it as a static class having public constants:



public static class Question
{
public const int Role = 2;
public const int ProjectFunding = 3;
public const int TotalEmployee = 4;
public const int NumberOfServers = 5;
public const int TopBusinessConcern = 6;
}


And then you can reference it as Question.Role, and it always evaluates to an int or whatever you define it as.






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  • 6




    I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
    – CAD bloke
    May 15 '13 at 19:40






  • 28




    I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
    – CAD bloke
    May 15 '13 at 23:16






  • 81




    This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
    – thgc
    Apr 12 '14 at 18:24






  • 8




    @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
    – blockloop
    Aug 14 '14 at 17:11






  • 3




    @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
    – CAD bloke
    Aug 15 '14 at 10:57



















74














Question question = Question.Role;
int value = (int) question;


Will result in value == 2.






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  • 30




    The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
    – Gishu
    Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






  • 1




    So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
    – jim
    Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






  • 3




    no need to convert it - just cast.
    – Michael Petrotta
    Jun 3 '09 at 6:52






  • 4




    You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
    – Marc Gravell
    Jun 3 '09 at 6:54






  • 1




    @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
    – Felix D.
    Dec 16 '17 at 16:10





















58














On a related note, if you want to get the int value from System.Enum, then given e here:



Enum e = Question.Role;


You can use:



int i = Convert.ToInt32(e);
int i = (int)(object)e;
int i = (int)Enum.Parse(e.GetType(), e.ToString());
int i = (int)Enum.ToObject(e.GetType(), e);


The last two are plain ugly. I prefer the first one.






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    35














    It's easier than you think - an enum is already an int. It just needs to be reminded:



    int y = (int)Question.Role;
    Console.WriteLine(y); // prints 2





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    • 13




      Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
      – mquander
      Jun 3 '09 at 6:56






    • 9




      Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
      – Michael Petrotta
      Jun 3 '09 at 6:59



















    25














    Example:



    public Enum EmpNo
    {
    Raj = 1,
    Rahul,
    Priyanka
    }


    And in the code behind to get enum value:



    int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Raj; //This will give setempNo = 1


    or



    int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Rahul; //This will give setempNo = 2


    Enums will increment by 1, and you can set the start value. If you don't set the start value it will be assigned as 0 initially.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 5




      Does this actually compile?
      – Peter Mortensen
      Jan 7 '16 at 20:04










    • Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
      – Timothy Gonzalez
      Nov 14 '16 at 21:58






    • 2




      I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
      – Rafalon
      Feb 26 at 14:03





















    19














    I have recently converted away from using enums in my code in favour of instead using classes with protected constructors and predefined static instances (thanks to Roelof - C# Ensure Valid Enum Values - Futureproof Method).



    In light of that, below's how I'd now approach this issue (including implicit conversion to/from int).



    public class Question
    {
    // Attributes
    protected int index;
    protected string name;
    // Go with a dictionary to enforce unique index
    //protected static readonly ICollection<Question> values = new Collection<Question>();
    protected static readonly IDictionary<int,Question> values = new Dictionary<int,Question>();

    // Define the "enum" values
    public static readonly Question Role = new Question(2,"Role");
    public static readonly Question ProjectFunding = new Question(3, "Project Funding");
    public static readonly Question TotalEmployee = new Question(4, "Total Employee");
    public static readonly Question NumberOfServers = new Question(5, "Number of Servers");
    public static readonly Question TopBusinessConcern = new Question(6, "Top Business Concern");

    // Constructors
    protected Question(int index, string name)
    {
    this.index = index;
    this.name = name;
    values.Add(index, this);
    }

    // Easy int conversion
    public static implicit operator int(Question question) =>
    question.index; //nb: if question is null this will return a null pointer exception

    public static implicit operator Question(int index) =>
    values.TryGetValue(index, out var question) ? question : null;

    // Easy string conversion (also update ToString for the same effect)
    public override string ToString() =>
    this.name;

    public static implicit operator string(Question question) =>
    question?.ToString();

    public static implicit operator Question(string name) =>
    name == null ? null : values.Values.FirstOrDefault(item => name.Equals(item.name, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));


    // If you specifically want a Get(int x) function (though not required given the implicit converstion)
    public Question Get(int foo) =>
    foo; //(implicit conversion will take care of the conversion for you)
    }


    The advantage of this approach is you get everything you would have from the enum, but your code's now much more flexible, so should you need to perform different actions based on the value of Question, you can put logic into Question itself (i.e. in the preferred OO fashion) as opposed to putting lots of case statements throughout your code to tackle each scenario.





    NB: Answer updated 2018-04-27 to make use of C# 6 features; i.e. declaration expressions and lambda expression body definitions. See revision history for original code. This has the benefit of making the definition a little less verbose; which had been one of the main complaints about this answer's approach.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 1




      I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
      – Lankymart
      Aug 2 '13 at 10:40






    • 1




      I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
      – James Haug
      Sep 8 '16 at 16:13



















    16














    If you want to get an integer for the enum value that is stored in a variable, wich the type would be Question, to use for example in a method, you can simply do this I wrote in this example:



    enum Talen
    {
    Engels = 1, Italiaans = 2, Portugees = 3, Nederlands = 4, Duits = 5, Dens = 6
    }

    Talen Geselecteerd;

    public void Form1()
    {
    InitializeComponent()
    Geselecteerd = Talen.Nederlands;
    }

    // You can use the Enum type as a parameter, so any enumeration from any enumerator can be used as parameter
    void VeranderenTitel(Enum e)
    {
    this.Text = Convert.ToInt32(e).ToString();
    }


    This will change the window title to 4 because the variable Geselecteerd is Talen.Nederlands. If I change it to Talen.Portugees and call the method again, the text will change to 3.



    I had a hard time finding this simple solution on the internet and I couldn't find it, so I was testing something and found this out. Hope this helps. ;)






    share|improve this answer































      14














      To ensure an enum value exists and then parse it, you can also do the following.



      // Fake Day of Week
      string strDOWFake = "SuperDay";
      // Real Day of Week
      string strDOWReal = "Friday";
      // Will hold which ever is the real DOW.
      DayOfWeek enmDOW;

      // See if fake DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
      if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake))
      {
      // This will never be reached since "SuperDay"
      // doesn't exist in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
      enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake);
      }
      // See if real DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
      else if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal))
      {
      // This will parse the string into it's corresponding DOW enum object.
      enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal);
      }

      // Can now use the DOW enum object.
      Console.Write("Today is " + enmDOW.ToString() + ".");


      I hope this helps.






      share|improve this answer































        11














        One more way to do it:



        Console.WriteLine("Name: {0}, Value: {0:D}", Question.Role);


        Will result in:



        Name: Role, Value: 2





        share|improve this answer





























          11














          Maybe I missed it but has anyone tried a simple generic extension method. This works great for me. You can avoid the type cast in your API this way but ultimately it results in a change type operation. This is a good case for programming Roselyn to have the compiler make a GetValue method for you.



              public static void Main()
          {
          int test = MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum.Test1);

          Debug.Assert(test == 1);
          }

          public static int MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum customFlag)
          {
          return MyCPlusPlusMethod(customFlag.GetValue<int>());
          }

          public static int MyCPlusPlusMethod(int customFlag)
          {
          //Pretend you made a PInvoke or COM+ call to C++ method that require an integer
          return customFlag;
          }

          public enum TestEnum
          {
          Test1 = 1,
          Test2 = 2,
          Test3 = 3
          }
          }

          public static class EnumExtensions
          {
          public static T GetValue<T>(this Enum enumeration)
          {
          T result = default(T);

          try
          {
          result = (T)Convert.ChangeType(enumeration, typeof(T));
          }
          catch (Exception ex)
          {
          Debug.Assert(false);
          Debug.WriteLine(ex);
          }

          return result;
          }
          }





          share|improve this answer





















          • Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
            – Tim Keating
            Nov 11 '14 at 17:32



















          10














          public enum QuestionType
          {
          Role = 2,
          ProjectFunding = 3,
          TotalEmployee = 4,
          NumberOfServers = 5,
          TopBusinessConcern = 6
          }


          ...is a fine declaration.



          You do have to cast the result to int like so:



          int Question = (int)QuestionType.Role


          Otherwise, the type is still QuestionType.



          This level of strictness is the C# way.



          One alternative is to use a class declaration instead:



          public class QuestionType
          {
          public static int Role = 2,
          public static int ProjectFunding = 3,
          public static int TotalEmployee = 4,
          public static int NumberOfServers = 5,
          public static int TopBusinessConcern = 6
          }


          It's less elegant to declare, but you don't need to cast it in code:



          int Question = QuestionType.Role


          Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable with Visual Basic, which caters for this type of expectation in many areas.






          share|improve this answer































            9














            You can do this by implementing an Extension Method to your defined enum type:



            public static class MyExtensions
            {
            public static int getNumberValue(this Question questionThis)
            {
            return (int)questionThis;
            }
            }


            This simplify getting int value of current enum value:



            Question question = Question.Role;
            int value = question.getNumberValue();


            or



            int value = Question.Role.getNumberValue();





            share|improve this answer



















            • 3




              Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
              – Benjamin Gruenbaum
              Dec 10 '12 at 0:28






            • 2




              Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
              – Bronek
              Dec 10 '12 at 3:20






            • 2




              @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
              – Benjamin Gruenbaum
              Aug 7 '13 at 14:45



















            9














            int number = Question.Role.GetHashCode();


            number should have the value 2.






            share|improve this answer























            • GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
              – ThanhLD
              Nov 9 at 4:08



















            6














            How about a extension method instead:



            public static class ExtensionMethods
            {
            public static int IntValue(this Enum argEnum)
            {
            return Convert.ToInt32(argEnum);
            }
            }


            And the usage is slightly prettier:



            var intValue = Question.Role.IntValue();





            share|improve this answer





























              3














              My fav hack with int or smaller enums:



              GetHashCode();


              For a enum



              public enum Test
              {
              Min = Int32.MinValue,
              One = 1,
              Max = Int32.MaxValue,
              }


              this



              var values = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Test));

              foreach (var val in values)
              {
              Console.WriteLine(val.GetHashCode());
              Console.WriteLine(((int)val));
              Console.WriteLine(val);
              }


              outputs



              one
              1
              1
              max
              2147483647
              2147483647
              min
              -2147483648
              -2147483648


              Disclaimer:
              Doesn't work for enums based on long






              share|improve this answer































                3














                public enum Suit : int
                {
                Spades = 0,
                Hearts = 1,
                Clubs = 2,
                Diamonds = 3
                }

                Console.WriteLine((int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Clubs"));

                //from int
                Console.WriteLine((Suit)1);

                //From number you can also
                Console.WriteLine((Suit)Enum.ToObject(typeof(Suit), 1));

                if (typeof(Suit).IsEnumDefined("Spades"))
                {
                var res = (int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Spades");
                Console.Out.WriteLine("{0}", res);
                }





                share|improve this answer





























                  3














                  Following is the extension method



                  public static string ToEnumString<TEnum>(this int enumValue)
                  {
                  var enumString = enumValue.ToString();
                  if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(TEnum), enumValue))
                  {
                  enumString = ((TEnum) Enum.ToObject(typeof (TEnum), enumValue)).ToString();
                  }
                  return enumString;
                  }





                  share|improve this answer































                    2














                    The example I would like to suggest 'to get 'int' value from enum is,'



                    public enum Sample
                    {Book =1, Pen=2, Pencil =3}

                    int answer = (int)Sample.Book;


                    now the answer will be 1.



                    I hope this might help someone.






                    share|improve this answer





























                      2














                      Since enums can be declared with multiple primitive types, a generic extension method to cast any enum type can be useful.



                      enum Box
                      {
                      HEIGHT,
                      WIDTH,
                      DEPTH
                      }

                      public static void UseEnum()
                      {
                      int height = Box.HEIGHT.GetEnumValue<int>();
                      int width = Box.WIDTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                      int depth = Box.DEPTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                      }

                      public static T GetEnumValue<T>(this object e) => (T)e;





                      share|improve this answer































                        1














                        The easiest solution I can think of is overloading the Get(int) method like this:



                        [modifiers] Questions Get(Question q)
                        {
                        return Get((int)q);
                        }


                        where [modifiers] can generally be same as for Get(int) method. If You can't edit the Questions class or for some reason don't want to, You can overload the method by writing an extension:



                        public static class Extensions
                        {
                        public static Questions Get(this Questions qs, Question q)
                        {
                        return qs.Get((int)q);
                        }
                        }





                        share|improve this answer































                          1














                          Try this one instead of convert enum to int:



                          public static class ReturnType
                          {
                          public static readonly int Success = 1;
                          public static readonly int Duplicate = 2;
                          public static readonly int Error = -1;
                          }





                          share|improve this answer





























                            1














                            In Vb. It should be



                            Public Enum Question
                            Role = 2
                            ProjectFunding = 3
                            TotalEmployee = 4
                            NumberOfServers = 5
                            TopBusinessConcern = 6
                            End Enum

                            Private value As Integer = CInt(Question.Role)





                            share|improve this answer





















                            • The question is for C#.
                              – Ctrl S
                              Nov 19 at 13:37



















                            -14














                            Try this :



                            int value = YourEnum.ToString("D");





                            share|improve this answer






















                              protected by Robert Levy Jul 17 '15 at 13:59



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                              1915














                              Just cast the enum, e.g.



                              int something = (int) Question.Role;


                              The above will work for the vast majority of enums you see in the wild, as the default underlying type for an enum is int.



                              However, as cecilphillip points out, enums can have different underlying types.
                              If an enum is declared as a uint, long, or ulong, it should be cast to the type of the enum; e.g. for



                              enum StarsInMilkyWay:long {Sun = 1, V645Centauri = 2 .. Wolf424B = 2147483649};


                              you should use



                              long something = (long)StarsInMilkyWay.Wolf424B;





                              share|improve this answer



















                              • 123




                                Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
                                – Harry
                                Jun 13 '12 at 10:45






                              • 22




                                @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
                                – Jaider
                                Jun 28 '12 at 20:47






                              • 29




                                @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
                                – Sinthia V
                                Jul 26 '12 at 19:02






                              • 43




                                @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
                                – Paul Ridgway
                                Aug 17 '12 at 18:30






                              • 5




                                If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
                                – quaylar
                                Oct 29 '13 at 16:14
















                              1915














                              Just cast the enum, e.g.



                              int something = (int) Question.Role;


                              The above will work for the vast majority of enums you see in the wild, as the default underlying type for an enum is int.



                              However, as cecilphillip points out, enums can have different underlying types.
                              If an enum is declared as a uint, long, or ulong, it should be cast to the type of the enum; e.g. for



                              enum StarsInMilkyWay:long {Sun = 1, V645Centauri = 2 .. Wolf424B = 2147483649};


                              you should use



                              long something = (long)StarsInMilkyWay.Wolf424B;





                              share|improve this answer



















                              • 123




                                Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
                                – Harry
                                Jun 13 '12 at 10:45






                              • 22




                                @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
                                – Jaider
                                Jun 28 '12 at 20:47






                              • 29




                                @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
                                – Sinthia V
                                Jul 26 '12 at 19:02






                              • 43




                                @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
                                – Paul Ridgway
                                Aug 17 '12 at 18:30






                              • 5




                                If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
                                – quaylar
                                Oct 29 '13 at 16:14














                              1915












                              1915








                              1915






                              Just cast the enum, e.g.



                              int something = (int) Question.Role;


                              The above will work for the vast majority of enums you see in the wild, as the default underlying type for an enum is int.



                              However, as cecilphillip points out, enums can have different underlying types.
                              If an enum is declared as a uint, long, or ulong, it should be cast to the type of the enum; e.g. for



                              enum StarsInMilkyWay:long {Sun = 1, V645Centauri = 2 .. Wolf424B = 2147483649};


                              you should use



                              long something = (long)StarsInMilkyWay.Wolf424B;





                              share|improve this answer














                              Just cast the enum, e.g.



                              int something = (int) Question.Role;


                              The above will work for the vast majority of enums you see in the wild, as the default underlying type for an enum is int.



                              However, as cecilphillip points out, enums can have different underlying types.
                              If an enum is declared as a uint, long, or ulong, it should be cast to the type of the enum; e.g. for



                              enum StarsInMilkyWay:long {Sun = 1, V645Centauri = 2 .. Wolf424B = 2147483649};


                              you should use



                              long something = (long)StarsInMilkyWay.Wolf424B;






                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited Feb 27 at 15:20









                              Sae1962

                              545821




                              545821










                              answered Jun 3 '09 at 6:49









                              Tetraneutron

                              22.2k32020




                              22.2k32020








                              • 123




                                Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
                                – Harry
                                Jun 13 '12 at 10:45






                              • 22




                                @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
                                – Jaider
                                Jun 28 '12 at 20:47






                              • 29




                                @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
                                – Sinthia V
                                Jul 26 '12 at 19:02






                              • 43




                                @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
                                – Paul Ridgway
                                Aug 17 '12 at 18:30






                              • 5




                                If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
                                – quaylar
                                Oct 29 '13 at 16:14














                              • 123




                                Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
                                – Harry
                                Jun 13 '12 at 10:45






                              • 22




                                @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
                                – Jaider
                                Jun 28 '12 at 20:47






                              • 29




                                @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
                                – Sinthia V
                                Jul 26 '12 at 19:02






                              • 43




                                @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
                                – Paul Ridgway
                                Aug 17 '12 at 18:30






                              • 5




                                If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
                                – quaylar
                                Oct 29 '13 at 16:14








                              123




                              123




                              Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
                              – Harry
                              Jun 13 '12 at 10:45




                              Oh, come on, I got enum Test { Item = (int)1 } and I have to cast it on every use? Shame the compiler can't do it for me. It should work as implicit conversion. But of course it doesn't.
                              – Harry
                              Jun 13 '12 at 10:45




                              22




                              22




                              @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
                              – Jaider
                              Jun 28 '12 at 20:47




                              @Harry it isn't true. You can create Enumeration without casting, it is not required. and I only assign number in special cases, most of the time, I leave it as default value. but you can do enum Test { Item = 1 } and see that 1 == (int)Test.Item is equal.
                              – Jaider
                              Jun 28 '12 at 20:47




                              29




                              29




                              @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
                              – Sinthia V
                              Jul 26 '12 at 19:02




                              @Jaider (int)Test.Item That is a cast! () is the explicit cast operator.
                              – Sinthia V
                              Jul 26 '12 at 19:02




                              43




                              43




                              @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
                              – Paul Ridgway
                              Aug 17 '12 at 18:30




                              @Sinthia V he said you can create it without casting, which is correct
                              – Paul Ridgway
                              Aug 17 '12 at 18:30




                              5




                              5




                              If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
                              – quaylar
                              Oct 29 '13 at 16:14




                              If the underlying type for enum Question was not int but long this cast will truncate Roles integral value!
                              – quaylar
                              Oct 29 '13 at 16:14













                              255














                              Since Enums can be any integral type (byte, int, short, etc.), a more robust way to get the underlying integral value of the enum would be to make use of the GetTypeCode method in conjunction with the Convert class:



                              enum Sides {
                              Left, Right, Top, Bottom
                              }
                              Sides side = Sides.Bottom;

                              object val = Convert.ChangeType(side, side.GetTypeCode());
                              Console.WriteLine(val);


                              This should work regardless of the underlying integral type.






                              share|improve this answer



















                              • 25




                                This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
                                – aboy021
                                Jul 5 '11 at 23:20






                              • 1




                                How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
                                – Mark Lakata
                                Nov 9 '12 at 2:15






                              • 2




                                I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
                                – Mesh
                                Oct 23 '13 at 8:20






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:42






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:46
















                              255














                              Since Enums can be any integral type (byte, int, short, etc.), a more robust way to get the underlying integral value of the enum would be to make use of the GetTypeCode method in conjunction with the Convert class:



                              enum Sides {
                              Left, Right, Top, Bottom
                              }
                              Sides side = Sides.Bottom;

                              object val = Convert.ChangeType(side, side.GetTypeCode());
                              Console.WriteLine(val);


                              This should work regardless of the underlying integral type.






                              share|improve this answer



















                              • 25




                                This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
                                – aboy021
                                Jul 5 '11 at 23:20






                              • 1




                                How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
                                – Mark Lakata
                                Nov 9 '12 at 2:15






                              • 2




                                I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
                                – Mesh
                                Oct 23 '13 at 8:20






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:42






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:46














                              255












                              255








                              255






                              Since Enums can be any integral type (byte, int, short, etc.), a more robust way to get the underlying integral value of the enum would be to make use of the GetTypeCode method in conjunction with the Convert class:



                              enum Sides {
                              Left, Right, Top, Bottom
                              }
                              Sides side = Sides.Bottom;

                              object val = Convert.ChangeType(side, side.GetTypeCode());
                              Console.WriteLine(val);


                              This should work regardless of the underlying integral type.






                              share|improve this answer














                              Since Enums can be any integral type (byte, int, short, etc.), a more robust way to get the underlying integral value of the enum would be to make use of the GetTypeCode method in conjunction with the Convert class:



                              enum Sides {
                              Left, Right, Top, Bottom
                              }
                              Sides side = Sides.Bottom;

                              object val = Convert.ChangeType(side, side.GetTypeCode());
                              Console.WriteLine(val);


                              This should work regardless of the underlying integral type.







                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited Feb 27 at 15:05









                              Sae1962

                              545821




                              545821










                              answered Jul 9 '10 at 14:54









                              cecilphillip

                              8,68032937




                              8,68032937








                              • 25




                                This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
                                – aboy021
                                Jul 5 '11 at 23:20






                              • 1




                                How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
                                – Mark Lakata
                                Nov 9 '12 at 2:15






                              • 2




                                I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
                                – Mesh
                                Oct 23 '13 at 8:20






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:42






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:46














                              • 25




                                This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
                                – aboy021
                                Jul 5 '11 at 23:20






                              • 1




                                How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
                                – Mark Lakata
                                Nov 9 '12 at 2:15






                              • 2




                                I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
                                – Mesh
                                Oct 23 '13 at 8:20






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:42






                              • 2




                                @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
                                – NickG
                                Mar 24 '15 at 9:46








                              25




                              25




                              This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
                              – aboy021
                              Jul 5 '11 at 23:20




                              This technique proved its worth to me when dealing with a generic type where T:enum (actually T:struct, IConvertible but that's a different story).
                              – aboy021
                              Jul 5 '11 at 23:20




                              1




                              1




                              How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
                              – Mark Lakata
                              Nov 9 '12 at 2:15




                              How would you modify this to print out the hexadecimal value of side? This example shows the decimal value. The problem is that var is of type object, so you need to unbox it and it gets messier than I would like.
                              – Mark Lakata
                              Nov 9 '12 at 2:15




                              2




                              2




                              I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
                              – Mesh
                              Oct 23 '13 at 8:20




                              I think you should change the example to object val = Convert...etc the var in your example will always be object.
                              – Mesh
                              Oct 23 '13 at 8:20




                              2




                              2




                              @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
                              – NickG
                              Mar 24 '15 at 9:42




                              @TimAbell All I can really say is that we found that dynamically compiled aspx pages (where you have to deploy the .cs files to the live server) were assigning the integers differently to each value. That meant that serialised objects one one machine, were deserialising with different values on a different machine and effectively getting corrupted (causing hours of confusion). We raised it with MS and I seem to recall they said that the autogenerated integers were not guaranteed to be the same when built across different framework versions.
                              – NickG
                              Mar 24 '15 at 9:42




                              2




                              2




                              @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
                              – NickG
                              Mar 24 '15 at 9:46




                              @TimAbell On a separate occasion, a developer deleted an obsolete/unused Enum value causing all other values in the sequence to be out by one. As such, our coding standards now require that IDs are always specified explicitly, otherwise adding/deleting or even auto-formatting the code (e.g. sorting alphabetically) will change all the values causing data corruption. I would strongly advise anyone to specify all Enum integers explicitly. This is ultra-important if they correlate to externally (database) stored values.
                              – NickG
                              Mar 24 '15 at 9:46











                              167














                              Declare it as a static class having public constants:



                              public static class Question
                              {
                              public const int Role = 2;
                              public const int ProjectFunding = 3;
                              public const int TotalEmployee = 4;
                              public const int NumberOfServers = 5;
                              public const int TopBusinessConcern = 6;
                              }


                              And then you can reference it as Question.Role, and it always evaluates to an int or whatever you define it as.






                              share|improve this answer



















                              • 6




                                I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 19:40






                              • 28




                                I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 23:16






                              • 81




                                This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
                                – thgc
                                Apr 12 '14 at 18:24






                              • 8




                                @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
                                – blockloop
                                Aug 14 '14 at 17:11






                              • 3




                                @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
                                – CAD bloke
                                Aug 15 '14 at 10:57
















                              167














                              Declare it as a static class having public constants:



                              public static class Question
                              {
                              public const int Role = 2;
                              public const int ProjectFunding = 3;
                              public const int TotalEmployee = 4;
                              public const int NumberOfServers = 5;
                              public const int TopBusinessConcern = 6;
                              }


                              And then you can reference it as Question.Role, and it always evaluates to an int or whatever you define it as.






                              share|improve this answer



















                              • 6




                                I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 19:40






                              • 28




                                I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 23:16






                              • 81




                                This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
                                – thgc
                                Apr 12 '14 at 18:24






                              • 8




                                @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
                                – blockloop
                                Aug 14 '14 at 17:11






                              • 3




                                @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
                                – CAD bloke
                                Aug 15 '14 at 10:57














                              167












                              167








                              167






                              Declare it as a static class having public constants:



                              public static class Question
                              {
                              public const int Role = 2;
                              public const int ProjectFunding = 3;
                              public const int TotalEmployee = 4;
                              public const int NumberOfServers = 5;
                              public const int TopBusinessConcern = 6;
                              }


                              And then you can reference it as Question.Role, and it always evaluates to an int or whatever you define it as.






                              share|improve this answer














                              Declare it as a static class having public constants:



                              public static class Question
                              {
                              public const int Role = 2;
                              public const int ProjectFunding = 3;
                              public const int TotalEmployee = 4;
                              public const int NumberOfServers = 5;
                              public const int TopBusinessConcern = 6;
                              }


                              And then you can reference it as Question.Role, and it always evaluates to an int or whatever you define it as.







                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited Feb 27 at 16:43









                              Sae1962

                              545821




                              545821










                              answered Jun 15 '12 at 19:28









                              PablosBicicleta

                              1,793182




                              1,793182








                              • 6




                                I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 19:40






                              • 28




                                I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 23:16






                              • 81




                                This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
                                – thgc
                                Apr 12 '14 at 18:24






                              • 8




                                @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
                                – blockloop
                                Aug 14 '14 at 17:11






                              • 3




                                @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
                                – CAD bloke
                                Aug 15 '14 at 10:57














                              • 6




                                I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 19:40






                              • 28




                                I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
                                – CAD bloke
                                May 15 '13 at 23:16






                              • 81




                                This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
                                – thgc
                                Apr 12 '14 at 18:24






                              • 8




                                @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
                                – blockloop
                                Aug 14 '14 at 17:11






                              • 3




                                @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
                                – CAD bloke
                                Aug 15 '14 at 10:57








                              6




                              6




                              I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
                              – CAD bloke
                              May 15 '13 at 19:40




                              I'm surprised this hasn't got more votes - it's so obvious if you really want to use the int type natively.
                              – CAD bloke
                              May 15 '13 at 19:40




                              28




                              28




                              I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
                              – CAD bloke
                              May 15 '13 at 23:16




                              I'd use static readonly int because constants are compiled into their hard values. See stackoverflow.com/a/755693/492
                              – CAD bloke
                              May 15 '13 at 23:16




                              81




                              81




                              This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
                              – thgc
                              Apr 12 '14 at 18:24




                              This solution actually doesn't provide the real benefit of strongly typed enums. If I only wanted to pass a GameState-enum-parameter to a specific method for example, the compiler shouldn't allow me to pass any int-variable as a parameter.
                              – thgc
                              Apr 12 '14 at 18:24




                              8




                              8




                              @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
                              – blockloop
                              Aug 14 '14 at 17:11




                              @CADBloke which is precisely why you would use const and not static readonly because every time you compare static readonly you're making a method call to get the value of the variable whereas with a const you're comparing two value types directly.
                              – blockloop
                              Aug 14 '14 at 17:11




                              3




                              3




                              @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
                              – CAD bloke
                              Aug 15 '14 at 10:57




                              @brettof86 Yes, a const would be faster, if the compilation limitation will never be problem then it's all good.
                              – CAD bloke
                              Aug 15 '14 at 10:57











                              74














                              Question question = Question.Role;
                              int value = (int) question;


                              Will result in value == 2.






                              share|improve this answer

















                              • 30




                                The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
                                – Gishu
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 1




                                So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
                                – jim
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 3




                                no need to convert it - just cast.
                                – Michael Petrotta
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:52






                              • 4




                                You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
                                – Marc Gravell
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:54






                              • 1




                                @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
                                – Felix D.
                                Dec 16 '17 at 16:10


















                              74














                              Question question = Question.Role;
                              int value = (int) question;


                              Will result in value == 2.






                              share|improve this answer

















                              • 30




                                The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
                                – Gishu
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 1




                                So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
                                – jim
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 3




                                no need to convert it - just cast.
                                – Michael Petrotta
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:52






                              • 4




                                You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
                                – Marc Gravell
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:54






                              • 1




                                @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
                                – Felix D.
                                Dec 16 '17 at 16:10
















                              74












                              74








                              74






                              Question question = Question.Role;
                              int value = (int) question;


                              Will result in value == 2.






                              share|improve this answer












                              Question question = Question.Role;
                              int value = (int) question;


                              Will result in value == 2.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Jun 3 '09 at 6:48









                              jerryjvl

                              14.8k63354




                              14.8k63354








                              • 30




                                The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
                                – Gishu
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 1




                                So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
                                – jim
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 3




                                no need to convert it - just cast.
                                – Michael Petrotta
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:52






                              • 4




                                You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
                                – Marc Gravell
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:54






                              • 1




                                @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
                                – Felix D.
                                Dec 16 '17 at 16:10
















                              • 30




                                The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
                                – Gishu
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 1




                                So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
                                – jim
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:51






                              • 3




                                no need to convert it - just cast.
                                – Michael Petrotta
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:52






                              • 4




                                You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
                                – Marc Gravell
                                Jun 3 '09 at 6:54






                              • 1




                                @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
                                – Felix D.
                                Dec 16 '17 at 16:10










                              30




                              30




                              The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
                              – Gishu
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:51




                              The temporary variable question is unnecessary.
                              – Gishu
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:51




                              1




                              1




                              So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
                              – jim
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:51




                              So something like this Questions.Get(Convert.ToInt16(Question.Applications))
                              – jim
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:51




                              3




                              3




                              no need to convert it - just cast.
                              – Michael Petrotta
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:52




                              no need to convert it - just cast.
                              – Michael Petrotta
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:52




                              4




                              4




                              You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
                              – Marc Gravell
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:54




                              You can simply cast in either direction; the only thing to watch is that enums don't enforce anything (the enum value could be 288, even though no Question exists with that number)
                              – Marc Gravell
                              Jun 3 '09 at 6:54




                              1




                              1




                              @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
                              – Felix D.
                              Dec 16 '17 at 16:10






                              @Gishu You could say it's ... questionable. ;)
                              – Felix D.
                              Dec 16 '17 at 16:10













                              58














                              On a related note, if you want to get the int value from System.Enum, then given e here:



                              Enum e = Question.Role;


                              You can use:



                              int i = Convert.ToInt32(e);
                              int i = (int)(object)e;
                              int i = (int)Enum.Parse(e.GetType(), e.ToString());
                              int i = (int)Enum.ToObject(e.GetType(), e);


                              The last two are plain ugly. I prefer the first one.






                              share|improve this answer




























                                58














                                On a related note, if you want to get the int value from System.Enum, then given e here:



                                Enum e = Question.Role;


                                You can use:



                                int i = Convert.ToInt32(e);
                                int i = (int)(object)e;
                                int i = (int)Enum.Parse(e.GetType(), e.ToString());
                                int i = (int)Enum.ToObject(e.GetType(), e);


                                The last two are plain ugly. I prefer the first one.






                                share|improve this answer


























                                  58












                                  58








                                  58






                                  On a related note, if you want to get the int value from System.Enum, then given e here:



                                  Enum e = Question.Role;


                                  You can use:



                                  int i = Convert.ToInt32(e);
                                  int i = (int)(object)e;
                                  int i = (int)Enum.Parse(e.GetType(), e.ToString());
                                  int i = (int)Enum.ToObject(e.GetType(), e);


                                  The last two are plain ugly. I prefer the first one.






                                  share|improve this answer














                                  On a related note, if you want to get the int value from System.Enum, then given e here:



                                  Enum e = Question.Role;


                                  You can use:



                                  int i = Convert.ToInt32(e);
                                  int i = (int)(object)e;
                                  int i = (int)Enum.Parse(e.GetType(), e.ToString());
                                  int i = (int)Enum.ToObject(e.GetType(), e);


                                  The last two are plain ugly. I prefer the first one.







                                  share|improve this answer














                                  share|improve this answer



                                  share|improve this answer








                                  edited Aug 13 '15 at 0:12









                                  ErikE

                                  33k13113161




                                  33k13113161










                                  answered Dec 1 '13 at 8:47









                                  nawfal

                                  42.2k36249292




                                  42.2k36249292























                                      35














                                      It's easier than you think - an enum is already an int. It just needs to be reminded:



                                      int y = (int)Question.Role;
                                      Console.WriteLine(y); // prints 2





                                      share|improve this answer



















                                      • 13




                                        Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
                                        – mquander
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:56






                                      • 9




                                        Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
                                        – Michael Petrotta
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:59
















                                      35














                                      It's easier than you think - an enum is already an int. It just needs to be reminded:



                                      int y = (int)Question.Role;
                                      Console.WriteLine(y); // prints 2





                                      share|improve this answer



















                                      • 13




                                        Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
                                        – mquander
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:56






                                      • 9




                                        Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
                                        – Michael Petrotta
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:59














                                      35












                                      35








                                      35






                                      It's easier than you think - an enum is already an int. It just needs to be reminded:



                                      int y = (int)Question.Role;
                                      Console.WriteLine(y); // prints 2





                                      share|improve this answer














                                      It's easier than you think - an enum is already an int. It just needs to be reminded:



                                      int y = (int)Question.Role;
                                      Console.WriteLine(y); // prints 2






                                      share|improve this answer














                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited Mar 7 at 13:52









                                      jim

                                      9,203124364




                                      9,203124364










                                      answered Jun 3 '09 at 6:51









                                      Michael Petrotta

                                      51.4k12127171




                                      51.4k12127171








                                      • 13




                                        Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
                                        – mquander
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:56






                                      • 9




                                        Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
                                        – Michael Petrotta
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:59














                                      • 13




                                        Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
                                        – mquander
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:56






                                      • 9




                                        Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
                                        – Michael Petrotta
                                        Jun 3 '09 at 6:59








                                      13




                                      13




                                      Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
                                      – mquander
                                      Jun 3 '09 at 6:56




                                      Nitpick: this enum is already an int. Other enums might be different types -- try "enum SmallEnum : byte { A, B, C }"
                                      – mquander
                                      Jun 3 '09 at 6:56




                                      9




                                      9




                                      Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
                                      – Michael Petrotta
                                      Jun 3 '09 at 6:59




                                      Absolutely true. C# reference: "Every enumeration type has an underlying type, which can be any integral type except char."
                                      – Michael Petrotta
                                      Jun 3 '09 at 6:59











                                      25














                                      Example:



                                      public Enum EmpNo
                                      {
                                      Raj = 1,
                                      Rahul,
                                      Priyanka
                                      }


                                      And in the code behind to get enum value:



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Raj; //This will give setempNo = 1


                                      or



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Rahul; //This will give setempNo = 2


                                      Enums will increment by 1, and you can set the start value. If you don't set the start value it will be assigned as 0 initially.






                                      share|improve this answer



















                                      • 5




                                        Does this actually compile?
                                        – Peter Mortensen
                                        Jan 7 '16 at 20:04










                                      • Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
                                        – Timothy Gonzalez
                                        Nov 14 '16 at 21:58






                                      • 2




                                        I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
                                        – Rafalon
                                        Feb 26 at 14:03


















                                      25














                                      Example:



                                      public Enum EmpNo
                                      {
                                      Raj = 1,
                                      Rahul,
                                      Priyanka
                                      }


                                      And in the code behind to get enum value:



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Raj; //This will give setempNo = 1


                                      or



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Rahul; //This will give setempNo = 2


                                      Enums will increment by 1, and you can set the start value. If you don't set the start value it will be assigned as 0 initially.






                                      share|improve this answer



















                                      • 5




                                        Does this actually compile?
                                        – Peter Mortensen
                                        Jan 7 '16 at 20:04










                                      • Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
                                        – Timothy Gonzalez
                                        Nov 14 '16 at 21:58






                                      • 2




                                        I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
                                        – Rafalon
                                        Feb 26 at 14:03
















                                      25












                                      25








                                      25






                                      Example:



                                      public Enum EmpNo
                                      {
                                      Raj = 1,
                                      Rahul,
                                      Priyanka
                                      }


                                      And in the code behind to get enum value:



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Raj; //This will give setempNo = 1


                                      or



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Rahul; //This will give setempNo = 2


                                      Enums will increment by 1, and you can set the start value. If you don't set the start value it will be assigned as 0 initially.






                                      share|improve this answer














                                      Example:



                                      public Enum EmpNo
                                      {
                                      Raj = 1,
                                      Rahul,
                                      Priyanka
                                      }


                                      And in the code behind to get enum value:



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Raj; //This will give setempNo = 1


                                      or



                                      int setempNo = (int)EmpNo.Rahul; //This will give setempNo = 2


                                      Enums will increment by 1, and you can set the start value. If you don't set the start value it will be assigned as 0 initially.







                                      share|improve this answer














                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited Dec 3 at 12:56









                                      Callagher

                                      136




                                      136










                                      answered Sep 25 '09 at 10:43







                                      sooraj















                                      • 5




                                        Does this actually compile?
                                        – Peter Mortensen
                                        Jan 7 '16 at 20:04










                                      • Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
                                        – Timothy Gonzalez
                                        Nov 14 '16 at 21:58






                                      • 2




                                        I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
                                        – Rafalon
                                        Feb 26 at 14:03
















                                      • 5




                                        Does this actually compile?
                                        – Peter Mortensen
                                        Jan 7 '16 at 20:04










                                      • Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
                                        – Timothy Gonzalez
                                        Nov 14 '16 at 21:58






                                      • 2




                                        I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
                                        – Rafalon
                                        Feb 26 at 14:03










                                      5




                                      5




                                      Does this actually compile?
                                      – Peter Mortensen
                                      Jan 7 '16 at 20:04




                                      Does this actually compile?
                                      – Peter Mortensen
                                      Jan 7 '16 at 20:04












                                      Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
                                      – Timothy Gonzalez
                                      Nov 14 '16 at 21:58




                                      Can something that is a Raj be also be a Rahul or a Priyanka? Your values conflict and should double to be unique e.g. 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. This is my core concern with enums.
                                      – Timothy Gonzalez
                                      Nov 14 '16 at 21:58




                                      2




                                      2




                                      I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
                                      – Rafalon
                                      Feb 26 at 14:03






                                      I'm quite sure a coma is missing after Raj = 1, and Public Enum should be public enum
                                      – Rafalon
                                      Feb 26 at 14:03













                                      19














                                      I have recently converted away from using enums in my code in favour of instead using classes with protected constructors and predefined static instances (thanks to Roelof - C# Ensure Valid Enum Values - Futureproof Method).



                                      In light of that, below's how I'd now approach this issue (including implicit conversion to/from int).



                                      public class Question
                                      {
                                      // Attributes
                                      protected int index;
                                      protected string name;
                                      // Go with a dictionary to enforce unique index
                                      //protected static readonly ICollection<Question> values = new Collection<Question>();
                                      protected static readonly IDictionary<int,Question> values = new Dictionary<int,Question>();

                                      // Define the "enum" values
                                      public static readonly Question Role = new Question(2,"Role");
                                      public static readonly Question ProjectFunding = new Question(3, "Project Funding");
                                      public static readonly Question TotalEmployee = new Question(4, "Total Employee");
                                      public static readonly Question NumberOfServers = new Question(5, "Number of Servers");
                                      public static readonly Question TopBusinessConcern = new Question(6, "Top Business Concern");

                                      // Constructors
                                      protected Question(int index, string name)
                                      {
                                      this.index = index;
                                      this.name = name;
                                      values.Add(index, this);
                                      }

                                      // Easy int conversion
                                      public static implicit operator int(Question question) =>
                                      question.index; //nb: if question is null this will return a null pointer exception

                                      public static implicit operator Question(int index) =>
                                      values.TryGetValue(index, out var question) ? question : null;

                                      // Easy string conversion (also update ToString for the same effect)
                                      public override string ToString() =>
                                      this.name;

                                      public static implicit operator string(Question question) =>
                                      question?.ToString();

                                      public static implicit operator Question(string name) =>
                                      name == null ? null : values.Values.FirstOrDefault(item => name.Equals(item.name, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));


                                      // If you specifically want a Get(int x) function (though not required given the implicit converstion)
                                      public Question Get(int foo) =>
                                      foo; //(implicit conversion will take care of the conversion for you)
                                      }


                                      The advantage of this approach is you get everything you would have from the enum, but your code's now much more flexible, so should you need to perform different actions based on the value of Question, you can put logic into Question itself (i.e. in the preferred OO fashion) as opposed to putting lots of case statements throughout your code to tackle each scenario.





                                      NB: Answer updated 2018-04-27 to make use of C# 6 features; i.e. declaration expressions and lambda expression body definitions. See revision history for original code. This has the benefit of making the definition a little less verbose; which had been one of the main complaints about this answer's approach.






                                      share|improve this answer



















                                      • 1




                                        I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
                                        – Lankymart
                                        Aug 2 '13 at 10:40






                                      • 1




                                        I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
                                        – James Haug
                                        Sep 8 '16 at 16:13
















                                      19














                                      I have recently converted away from using enums in my code in favour of instead using classes with protected constructors and predefined static instances (thanks to Roelof - C# Ensure Valid Enum Values - Futureproof Method).



                                      In light of that, below's how I'd now approach this issue (including implicit conversion to/from int).



                                      public class Question
                                      {
                                      // Attributes
                                      protected int index;
                                      protected string name;
                                      // Go with a dictionary to enforce unique index
                                      //protected static readonly ICollection<Question> values = new Collection<Question>();
                                      protected static readonly IDictionary<int,Question> values = new Dictionary<int,Question>();

                                      // Define the "enum" values
                                      public static readonly Question Role = new Question(2,"Role");
                                      public static readonly Question ProjectFunding = new Question(3, "Project Funding");
                                      public static readonly Question TotalEmployee = new Question(4, "Total Employee");
                                      public static readonly Question NumberOfServers = new Question(5, "Number of Servers");
                                      public static readonly Question TopBusinessConcern = new Question(6, "Top Business Concern");

                                      // Constructors
                                      protected Question(int index, string name)
                                      {
                                      this.index = index;
                                      this.name = name;
                                      values.Add(index, this);
                                      }

                                      // Easy int conversion
                                      public static implicit operator int(Question question) =>
                                      question.index; //nb: if question is null this will return a null pointer exception

                                      public static implicit operator Question(int index) =>
                                      values.TryGetValue(index, out var question) ? question : null;

                                      // Easy string conversion (also update ToString for the same effect)
                                      public override string ToString() =>
                                      this.name;

                                      public static implicit operator string(Question question) =>
                                      question?.ToString();

                                      public static implicit operator Question(string name) =>
                                      name == null ? null : values.Values.FirstOrDefault(item => name.Equals(item.name, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));


                                      // If you specifically want a Get(int x) function (though not required given the implicit converstion)
                                      public Question Get(int foo) =>
                                      foo; //(implicit conversion will take care of the conversion for you)
                                      }


                                      The advantage of this approach is you get everything you would have from the enum, but your code's now much more flexible, so should you need to perform different actions based on the value of Question, you can put logic into Question itself (i.e. in the preferred OO fashion) as opposed to putting lots of case statements throughout your code to tackle each scenario.





                                      NB: Answer updated 2018-04-27 to make use of C# 6 features; i.e. declaration expressions and lambda expression body definitions. See revision history for original code. This has the benefit of making the definition a little less verbose; which had been one of the main complaints about this answer's approach.






                                      share|improve this answer



















                                      • 1




                                        I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
                                        – Lankymart
                                        Aug 2 '13 at 10:40






                                      • 1




                                        I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
                                        – James Haug
                                        Sep 8 '16 at 16:13














                                      19












                                      19








                                      19






                                      I have recently converted away from using enums in my code in favour of instead using classes with protected constructors and predefined static instances (thanks to Roelof - C# Ensure Valid Enum Values - Futureproof Method).



                                      In light of that, below's how I'd now approach this issue (including implicit conversion to/from int).



                                      public class Question
                                      {
                                      // Attributes
                                      protected int index;
                                      protected string name;
                                      // Go with a dictionary to enforce unique index
                                      //protected static readonly ICollection<Question> values = new Collection<Question>();
                                      protected static readonly IDictionary<int,Question> values = new Dictionary<int,Question>();

                                      // Define the "enum" values
                                      public static readonly Question Role = new Question(2,"Role");
                                      public static readonly Question ProjectFunding = new Question(3, "Project Funding");
                                      public static readonly Question TotalEmployee = new Question(4, "Total Employee");
                                      public static readonly Question NumberOfServers = new Question(5, "Number of Servers");
                                      public static readonly Question TopBusinessConcern = new Question(6, "Top Business Concern");

                                      // Constructors
                                      protected Question(int index, string name)
                                      {
                                      this.index = index;
                                      this.name = name;
                                      values.Add(index, this);
                                      }

                                      // Easy int conversion
                                      public static implicit operator int(Question question) =>
                                      question.index; //nb: if question is null this will return a null pointer exception

                                      public static implicit operator Question(int index) =>
                                      values.TryGetValue(index, out var question) ? question : null;

                                      // Easy string conversion (also update ToString for the same effect)
                                      public override string ToString() =>
                                      this.name;

                                      public static implicit operator string(Question question) =>
                                      question?.ToString();

                                      public static implicit operator Question(string name) =>
                                      name == null ? null : values.Values.FirstOrDefault(item => name.Equals(item.name, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));


                                      // If you specifically want a Get(int x) function (though not required given the implicit converstion)
                                      public Question Get(int foo) =>
                                      foo; //(implicit conversion will take care of the conversion for you)
                                      }


                                      The advantage of this approach is you get everything you would have from the enum, but your code's now much more flexible, so should you need to perform different actions based on the value of Question, you can put logic into Question itself (i.e. in the preferred OO fashion) as opposed to putting lots of case statements throughout your code to tackle each scenario.





                                      NB: Answer updated 2018-04-27 to make use of C# 6 features; i.e. declaration expressions and lambda expression body definitions. See revision history for original code. This has the benefit of making the definition a little less verbose; which had been one of the main complaints about this answer's approach.






                                      share|improve this answer














                                      I have recently converted away from using enums in my code in favour of instead using classes with protected constructors and predefined static instances (thanks to Roelof - C# Ensure Valid Enum Values - Futureproof Method).



                                      In light of that, below's how I'd now approach this issue (including implicit conversion to/from int).



                                      public class Question
                                      {
                                      // Attributes
                                      protected int index;
                                      protected string name;
                                      // Go with a dictionary to enforce unique index
                                      //protected static readonly ICollection<Question> values = new Collection<Question>();
                                      protected static readonly IDictionary<int,Question> values = new Dictionary<int,Question>();

                                      // Define the "enum" values
                                      public static readonly Question Role = new Question(2,"Role");
                                      public static readonly Question ProjectFunding = new Question(3, "Project Funding");
                                      public static readonly Question TotalEmployee = new Question(4, "Total Employee");
                                      public static readonly Question NumberOfServers = new Question(5, "Number of Servers");
                                      public static readonly Question TopBusinessConcern = new Question(6, "Top Business Concern");

                                      // Constructors
                                      protected Question(int index, string name)
                                      {
                                      this.index = index;
                                      this.name = name;
                                      values.Add(index, this);
                                      }

                                      // Easy int conversion
                                      public static implicit operator int(Question question) =>
                                      question.index; //nb: if question is null this will return a null pointer exception

                                      public static implicit operator Question(int index) =>
                                      values.TryGetValue(index, out var question) ? question : null;

                                      // Easy string conversion (also update ToString for the same effect)
                                      public override string ToString() =>
                                      this.name;

                                      public static implicit operator string(Question question) =>
                                      question?.ToString();

                                      public static implicit operator Question(string name) =>
                                      name == null ? null : values.Values.FirstOrDefault(item => name.Equals(item.name, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));


                                      // If you specifically want a Get(int x) function (though not required given the implicit converstion)
                                      public Question Get(int foo) =>
                                      foo; //(implicit conversion will take care of the conversion for you)
                                      }


                                      The advantage of this approach is you get everything you would have from the enum, but your code's now much more flexible, so should you need to perform different actions based on the value of Question, you can put logic into Question itself (i.e. in the preferred OO fashion) as opposed to putting lots of case statements throughout your code to tackle each scenario.





                                      NB: Answer updated 2018-04-27 to make use of C# 6 features; i.e. declaration expressions and lambda expression body definitions. See revision history for original code. This has the benefit of making the definition a little less verbose; which had been one of the main complaints about this answer's approach.







                                      share|improve this answer














                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited Apr 27 at 8:55

























                                      answered Mar 30 '13 at 1:08









                                      JohnLBevan

                                      14.3k145103




                                      14.3k145103








                                      • 1




                                        I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
                                        – Lankymart
                                        Aug 2 '13 at 10:40






                                      • 1




                                        I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
                                        – James Haug
                                        Sep 8 '16 at 16:13














                                      • 1




                                        I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
                                        – Lankymart
                                        Aug 2 '13 at 10:40






                                      • 1




                                        I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
                                        – James Haug
                                        Sep 8 '16 at 16:13








                                      1




                                      1




                                      I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
                                      – Lankymart
                                      Aug 2 '13 at 10:40




                                      I guess it's the trade off between explicit cast and the code you have to write to circumvent it. Still love the implementation just wish it wasn't so lengthy. +1
                                      – Lankymart
                                      Aug 2 '13 at 10:40




                                      1




                                      1




                                      I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
                                      – James Haug
                                      Sep 8 '16 at 16:13




                                      I've used several different type of classes structured similar to this. I find they work wonders when trying to follow the "don't let me be an idiot later" methodology.
                                      – James Haug
                                      Sep 8 '16 at 16:13











                                      16














                                      If you want to get an integer for the enum value that is stored in a variable, wich the type would be Question, to use for example in a method, you can simply do this I wrote in this example:



                                      enum Talen
                                      {
                                      Engels = 1, Italiaans = 2, Portugees = 3, Nederlands = 4, Duits = 5, Dens = 6
                                      }

                                      Talen Geselecteerd;

                                      public void Form1()
                                      {
                                      InitializeComponent()
                                      Geselecteerd = Talen.Nederlands;
                                      }

                                      // You can use the Enum type as a parameter, so any enumeration from any enumerator can be used as parameter
                                      void VeranderenTitel(Enum e)
                                      {
                                      this.Text = Convert.ToInt32(e).ToString();
                                      }


                                      This will change the window title to 4 because the variable Geselecteerd is Talen.Nederlands. If I change it to Talen.Portugees and call the method again, the text will change to 3.



                                      I had a hard time finding this simple solution on the internet and I couldn't find it, so I was testing something and found this out. Hope this helps. ;)






                                      share|improve this answer




























                                        16














                                        If you want to get an integer for the enum value that is stored in a variable, wich the type would be Question, to use for example in a method, you can simply do this I wrote in this example:



                                        enum Talen
                                        {
                                        Engels = 1, Italiaans = 2, Portugees = 3, Nederlands = 4, Duits = 5, Dens = 6
                                        }

                                        Talen Geselecteerd;

                                        public void Form1()
                                        {
                                        InitializeComponent()
                                        Geselecteerd = Talen.Nederlands;
                                        }

                                        // You can use the Enum type as a parameter, so any enumeration from any enumerator can be used as parameter
                                        void VeranderenTitel(Enum e)
                                        {
                                        this.Text = Convert.ToInt32(e).ToString();
                                        }


                                        This will change the window title to 4 because the variable Geselecteerd is Talen.Nederlands. If I change it to Talen.Portugees and call the method again, the text will change to 3.



                                        I had a hard time finding this simple solution on the internet and I couldn't find it, so I was testing something and found this out. Hope this helps. ;)






                                        share|improve this answer


























                                          16












                                          16








                                          16






                                          If you want to get an integer for the enum value that is stored in a variable, wich the type would be Question, to use for example in a method, you can simply do this I wrote in this example:



                                          enum Talen
                                          {
                                          Engels = 1, Italiaans = 2, Portugees = 3, Nederlands = 4, Duits = 5, Dens = 6
                                          }

                                          Talen Geselecteerd;

                                          public void Form1()
                                          {
                                          InitializeComponent()
                                          Geselecteerd = Talen.Nederlands;
                                          }

                                          // You can use the Enum type as a parameter, so any enumeration from any enumerator can be used as parameter
                                          void VeranderenTitel(Enum e)
                                          {
                                          this.Text = Convert.ToInt32(e).ToString();
                                          }


                                          This will change the window title to 4 because the variable Geselecteerd is Talen.Nederlands. If I change it to Talen.Portugees and call the method again, the text will change to 3.



                                          I had a hard time finding this simple solution on the internet and I couldn't find it, so I was testing something and found this out. Hope this helps. ;)






                                          share|improve this answer














                                          If you want to get an integer for the enum value that is stored in a variable, wich the type would be Question, to use for example in a method, you can simply do this I wrote in this example:



                                          enum Talen
                                          {
                                          Engels = 1, Italiaans = 2, Portugees = 3, Nederlands = 4, Duits = 5, Dens = 6
                                          }

                                          Talen Geselecteerd;

                                          public void Form1()
                                          {
                                          InitializeComponent()
                                          Geselecteerd = Talen.Nederlands;
                                          }

                                          // You can use the Enum type as a parameter, so any enumeration from any enumerator can be used as parameter
                                          void VeranderenTitel(Enum e)
                                          {
                                          this.Text = Convert.ToInt32(e).ToString();
                                          }


                                          This will change the window title to 4 because the variable Geselecteerd is Talen.Nederlands. If I change it to Talen.Portugees and call the method again, the text will change to 3.



                                          I had a hard time finding this simple solution on the internet and I couldn't find it, so I was testing something and found this out. Hope this helps. ;)







                                          share|improve this answer














                                          share|improve this answer



                                          share|improve this answer








                                          edited Feb 27 at 16:02









                                          Timo

                                          2,97612634




                                          2,97612634










                                          answered Jun 10 '12 at 22:58









                                          Mathijs Van Der Slagt

                                          17112




                                          17112























                                              14














                                              To ensure an enum value exists and then parse it, you can also do the following.



                                              // Fake Day of Week
                                              string strDOWFake = "SuperDay";
                                              // Real Day of Week
                                              string strDOWReal = "Friday";
                                              // Will hold which ever is the real DOW.
                                              DayOfWeek enmDOW;

                                              // See if fake DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                              if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake))
                                              {
                                              // This will never be reached since "SuperDay"
                                              // doesn't exist in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                              enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake);
                                              }
                                              // See if real DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                              else if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal))
                                              {
                                              // This will parse the string into it's corresponding DOW enum object.
                                              enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal);
                                              }

                                              // Can now use the DOW enum object.
                                              Console.Write("Today is " + enmDOW.ToString() + ".");


                                              I hope this helps.






                                              share|improve this answer




























                                                14














                                                To ensure an enum value exists and then parse it, you can also do the following.



                                                // Fake Day of Week
                                                string strDOWFake = "SuperDay";
                                                // Real Day of Week
                                                string strDOWReal = "Friday";
                                                // Will hold which ever is the real DOW.
                                                DayOfWeek enmDOW;

                                                // See if fake DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake))
                                                {
                                                // This will never be reached since "SuperDay"
                                                // doesn't exist in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake);
                                                }
                                                // See if real DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                else if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal))
                                                {
                                                // This will parse the string into it's corresponding DOW enum object.
                                                enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal);
                                                }

                                                // Can now use the DOW enum object.
                                                Console.Write("Today is " + enmDOW.ToString() + ".");


                                                I hope this helps.






                                                share|improve this answer


























                                                  14












                                                  14








                                                  14






                                                  To ensure an enum value exists and then parse it, you can also do the following.



                                                  // Fake Day of Week
                                                  string strDOWFake = "SuperDay";
                                                  // Real Day of Week
                                                  string strDOWReal = "Friday";
                                                  // Will hold which ever is the real DOW.
                                                  DayOfWeek enmDOW;

                                                  // See if fake DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                  if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake))
                                                  {
                                                  // This will never be reached since "SuperDay"
                                                  // doesn't exist in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                  enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake);
                                                  }
                                                  // See if real DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                  else if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal))
                                                  {
                                                  // This will parse the string into it's corresponding DOW enum object.
                                                  enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal);
                                                  }

                                                  // Can now use the DOW enum object.
                                                  Console.Write("Today is " + enmDOW.ToString() + ".");


                                                  I hope this helps.






                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                  To ensure an enum value exists and then parse it, you can also do the following.



                                                  // Fake Day of Week
                                                  string strDOWFake = "SuperDay";
                                                  // Real Day of Week
                                                  string strDOWReal = "Friday";
                                                  // Will hold which ever is the real DOW.
                                                  DayOfWeek enmDOW;

                                                  // See if fake DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                  if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake))
                                                  {
                                                  // This will never be reached since "SuperDay"
                                                  // doesn't exist in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                  enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWFake);
                                                  }
                                                  // See if real DOW is defined in the DayOfWeek enumeration.
                                                  else if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal))
                                                  {
                                                  // This will parse the string into it's corresponding DOW enum object.
                                                  enmDOW = (DayOfWeek)Enum.Parse(typeof(DayOfWeek), strDOWReal);
                                                  }

                                                  // Can now use the DOW enum object.
                                                  Console.Write("Today is " + enmDOW.ToString() + ".");


                                                  I hope this helps.







                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                  edited Jul 23 '11 at 20:03









                                                  Peter K.

                                                  6,24644164




                                                  6,24644164










                                                  answered Jul 22 '11 at 20:56









                                                  Nathon

                                                  14316




                                                  14316























                                                      11














                                                      One more way to do it:



                                                      Console.WriteLine("Name: {0}, Value: {0:D}", Question.Role);


                                                      Will result in:



                                                      Name: Role, Value: 2





                                                      share|improve this answer


























                                                        11














                                                        One more way to do it:



                                                        Console.WriteLine("Name: {0}, Value: {0:D}", Question.Role);


                                                        Will result in:



                                                        Name: Role, Value: 2





                                                        share|improve this answer
























                                                          11












                                                          11








                                                          11






                                                          One more way to do it:



                                                          Console.WriteLine("Name: {0}, Value: {0:D}", Question.Role);


                                                          Will result in:



                                                          Name: Role, Value: 2





                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                          One more way to do it:



                                                          Console.WriteLine("Name: {0}, Value: {0:D}", Question.Role);


                                                          Will result in:



                                                          Name: Role, Value: 2






                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                          share|improve this answer










                                                          answered Sep 19 '14 at 5:42









                                                          plavozont

                                                          416410




                                                          416410























                                                              11














                                                              Maybe I missed it but has anyone tried a simple generic extension method. This works great for me. You can avoid the type cast in your API this way but ultimately it results in a change type operation. This is a good case for programming Roselyn to have the compiler make a GetValue method for you.



                                                                  public static void Main()
                                                              {
                                                              int test = MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum.Test1);

                                                              Debug.Assert(test == 1);
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              return MyCPlusPlusMethod(customFlag.GetValue<int>());
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCPlusPlusMethod(int customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              //Pretend you made a PInvoke or COM+ call to C++ method that require an integer
                                                              return customFlag;
                                                              }

                                                              public enum TestEnum
                                                              {
                                                              Test1 = 1,
                                                              Test2 = 2,
                                                              Test3 = 3
                                                              }
                                                              }

                                                              public static class EnumExtensions
                                                              {
                                                              public static T GetValue<T>(this Enum enumeration)
                                                              {
                                                              T result = default(T);

                                                              try
                                                              {
                                                              result = (T)Convert.ChangeType(enumeration, typeof(T));
                                                              }
                                                              catch (Exception ex)
                                                              {
                                                              Debug.Assert(false);
                                                              Debug.WriteLine(ex);
                                                              }

                                                              return result;
                                                              }
                                                              }





                                                              share|improve this answer





















                                                              • Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
                                                                – Tim Keating
                                                                Nov 11 '14 at 17:32
















                                                              11














                                                              Maybe I missed it but has anyone tried a simple generic extension method. This works great for me. You can avoid the type cast in your API this way but ultimately it results in a change type operation. This is a good case for programming Roselyn to have the compiler make a GetValue method for you.



                                                                  public static void Main()
                                                              {
                                                              int test = MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum.Test1);

                                                              Debug.Assert(test == 1);
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              return MyCPlusPlusMethod(customFlag.GetValue<int>());
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCPlusPlusMethod(int customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              //Pretend you made a PInvoke or COM+ call to C++ method that require an integer
                                                              return customFlag;
                                                              }

                                                              public enum TestEnum
                                                              {
                                                              Test1 = 1,
                                                              Test2 = 2,
                                                              Test3 = 3
                                                              }
                                                              }

                                                              public static class EnumExtensions
                                                              {
                                                              public static T GetValue<T>(this Enum enumeration)
                                                              {
                                                              T result = default(T);

                                                              try
                                                              {
                                                              result = (T)Convert.ChangeType(enumeration, typeof(T));
                                                              }
                                                              catch (Exception ex)
                                                              {
                                                              Debug.Assert(false);
                                                              Debug.WriteLine(ex);
                                                              }

                                                              return result;
                                                              }
                                                              }





                                                              share|improve this answer





















                                                              • Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
                                                                – Tim Keating
                                                                Nov 11 '14 at 17:32














                                                              11












                                                              11








                                                              11






                                                              Maybe I missed it but has anyone tried a simple generic extension method. This works great for me. You can avoid the type cast in your API this way but ultimately it results in a change type operation. This is a good case for programming Roselyn to have the compiler make a GetValue method for you.



                                                                  public static void Main()
                                                              {
                                                              int test = MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum.Test1);

                                                              Debug.Assert(test == 1);
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              return MyCPlusPlusMethod(customFlag.GetValue<int>());
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCPlusPlusMethod(int customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              //Pretend you made a PInvoke or COM+ call to C++ method that require an integer
                                                              return customFlag;
                                                              }

                                                              public enum TestEnum
                                                              {
                                                              Test1 = 1,
                                                              Test2 = 2,
                                                              Test3 = 3
                                                              }
                                                              }

                                                              public static class EnumExtensions
                                                              {
                                                              public static T GetValue<T>(this Enum enumeration)
                                                              {
                                                              T result = default(T);

                                                              try
                                                              {
                                                              result = (T)Convert.ChangeType(enumeration, typeof(T));
                                                              }
                                                              catch (Exception ex)
                                                              {
                                                              Debug.Assert(false);
                                                              Debug.WriteLine(ex);
                                                              }

                                                              return result;
                                                              }
                                                              }





                                                              share|improve this answer












                                                              Maybe I missed it but has anyone tried a simple generic extension method. This works great for me. You can avoid the type cast in your API this way but ultimately it results in a change type operation. This is a good case for programming Roselyn to have the compiler make a GetValue method for you.



                                                                  public static void Main()
                                                              {
                                                              int test = MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum.Test1);

                                                              Debug.Assert(test == 1);
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCSharpWrapperMethod(TestEnum customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              return MyCPlusPlusMethod(customFlag.GetValue<int>());
                                                              }

                                                              public static int MyCPlusPlusMethod(int customFlag)
                                                              {
                                                              //Pretend you made a PInvoke or COM+ call to C++ method that require an integer
                                                              return customFlag;
                                                              }

                                                              public enum TestEnum
                                                              {
                                                              Test1 = 1,
                                                              Test2 = 2,
                                                              Test3 = 3
                                                              }
                                                              }

                                                              public static class EnumExtensions
                                                              {
                                                              public static T GetValue<T>(this Enum enumeration)
                                                              {
                                                              T result = default(T);

                                                              try
                                                              {
                                                              result = (T)Convert.ChangeType(enumeration, typeof(T));
                                                              }
                                                              catch (Exception ex)
                                                              {
                                                              Debug.Assert(false);
                                                              Debug.WriteLine(ex);
                                                              }

                                                              return result;
                                                              }
                                                              }






                                                              share|improve this answer












                                                              share|improve this answer



                                                              share|improve this answer










                                                              answered Sep 27 '14 at 1:30









                                                              Doug

                                                              15216




                                                              15216












                                                              • Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
                                                                – Tim Keating
                                                                Nov 11 '14 at 17:32


















                                                              • Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
                                                                – Tim Keating
                                                                Nov 11 '14 at 17:32
















                                                              Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
                                                              – Tim Keating
                                                              Nov 11 '14 at 17:32




                                                              Possibly because doing (int)customFlag is less typing all around and does more or less the same thing?
                                                              – Tim Keating
                                                              Nov 11 '14 at 17:32











                                                              10














                                                              public enum QuestionType
                                                              {
                                                              Role = 2,
                                                              ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                              TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                              NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                              TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                              }


                                                              ...is a fine declaration.



                                                              You do have to cast the result to int like so:



                                                              int Question = (int)QuestionType.Role


                                                              Otherwise, the type is still QuestionType.



                                                              This level of strictness is the C# way.



                                                              One alternative is to use a class declaration instead:



                                                              public class QuestionType
                                                              {
                                                              public static int Role = 2,
                                                              public static int ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                              public static int TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                              public static int NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                              public static int TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                              }


                                                              It's less elegant to declare, but you don't need to cast it in code:



                                                              int Question = QuestionType.Role


                                                              Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable with Visual Basic, which caters for this type of expectation in many areas.






                                                              share|improve this answer




























                                                                10














                                                                public enum QuestionType
                                                                {
                                                                Role = 2,
                                                                ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                                TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                                NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                                TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                }


                                                                ...is a fine declaration.



                                                                You do have to cast the result to int like so:



                                                                int Question = (int)QuestionType.Role


                                                                Otherwise, the type is still QuestionType.



                                                                This level of strictness is the C# way.



                                                                One alternative is to use a class declaration instead:



                                                                public class QuestionType
                                                                {
                                                                public static int Role = 2,
                                                                public static int ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                                public static int TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                                public static int NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                                public static int TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                }


                                                                It's less elegant to declare, but you don't need to cast it in code:



                                                                int Question = QuestionType.Role


                                                                Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable with Visual Basic, which caters for this type of expectation in many areas.






                                                                share|improve this answer


























                                                                  10












                                                                  10








                                                                  10






                                                                  public enum QuestionType
                                                                  {
                                                                  Role = 2,
                                                                  ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                                  TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                                  NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                                  TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                  }


                                                                  ...is a fine declaration.



                                                                  You do have to cast the result to int like so:



                                                                  int Question = (int)QuestionType.Role


                                                                  Otherwise, the type is still QuestionType.



                                                                  This level of strictness is the C# way.



                                                                  One alternative is to use a class declaration instead:



                                                                  public class QuestionType
                                                                  {
                                                                  public static int Role = 2,
                                                                  public static int ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                                  public static int TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                                  public static int NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                                  public static int TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                  }


                                                                  It's less elegant to declare, but you don't need to cast it in code:



                                                                  int Question = QuestionType.Role


                                                                  Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable with Visual Basic, which caters for this type of expectation in many areas.






                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                  public enum QuestionType
                                                                  {
                                                                  Role = 2,
                                                                  ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                                  TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                                  NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                                  TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                  }


                                                                  ...is a fine declaration.



                                                                  You do have to cast the result to int like so:



                                                                  int Question = (int)QuestionType.Role


                                                                  Otherwise, the type is still QuestionType.



                                                                  This level of strictness is the C# way.



                                                                  One alternative is to use a class declaration instead:



                                                                  public class QuestionType
                                                                  {
                                                                  public static int Role = 2,
                                                                  public static int ProjectFunding = 3,
                                                                  public static int TotalEmployee = 4,
                                                                  public static int NumberOfServers = 5,
                                                                  public static int TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                  }


                                                                  It's less elegant to declare, but you don't need to cast it in code:



                                                                  int Question = QuestionType.Role


                                                                  Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable with Visual Basic, which caters for this type of expectation in many areas.







                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                  edited Feb 27 at 17:07

























                                                                  answered Mar 31 '14 at 16:35









                                                                  Knickerless-Noggins

                                                                  5,08634256




                                                                  5,08634256























                                                                      9














                                                                      You can do this by implementing an Extension Method to your defined enum type:



                                                                      public static class MyExtensions
                                                                      {
                                                                      public static int getNumberValue(this Question questionThis)
                                                                      {
                                                                      return (int)questionThis;
                                                                      }
                                                                      }


                                                                      This simplify getting int value of current enum value:



                                                                      Question question = Question.Role;
                                                                      int value = question.getNumberValue();


                                                                      or



                                                                      int value = Question.Role.getNumberValue();





                                                                      share|improve this answer



















                                                                      • 3




                                                                        Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 0:28






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
                                                                        – Bronek
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 3:20






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Aug 7 '13 at 14:45
















                                                                      9














                                                                      You can do this by implementing an Extension Method to your defined enum type:



                                                                      public static class MyExtensions
                                                                      {
                                                                      public static int getNumberValue(this Question questionThis)
                                                                      {
                                                                      return (int)questionThis;
                                                                      }
                                                                      }


                                                                      This simplify getting int value of current enum value:



                                                                      Question question = Question.Role;
                                                                      int value = question.getNumberValue();


                                                                      or



                                                                      int value = Question.Role.getNumberValue();





                                                                      share|improve this answer



















                                                                      • 3




                                                                        Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 0:28






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
                                                                        – Bronek
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 3:20






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Aug 7 '13 at 14:45














                                                                      9












                                                                      9








                                                                      9






                                                                      You can do this by implementing an Extension Method to your defined enum type:



                                                                      public static class MyExtensions
                                                                      {
                                                                      public static int getNumberValue(this Question questionThis)
                                                                      {
                                                                      return (int)questionThis;
                                                                      }
                                                                      }


                                                                      This simplify getting int value of current enum value:



                                                                      Question question = Question.Role;
                                                                      int value = question.getNumberValue();


                                                                      or



                                                                      int value = Question.Role.getNumberValue();





                                                                      share|improve this answer














                                                                      You can do this by implementing an Extension Method to your defined enum type:



                                                                      public static class MyExtensions
                                                                      {
                                                                      public static int getNumberValue(this Question questionThis)
                                                                      {
                                                                      return (int)questionThis;
                                                                      }
                                                                      }


                                                                      This simplify getting int value of current enum value:



                                                                      Question question = Question.Role;
                                                                      int value = question.getNumberValue();


                                                                      or



                                                                      int value = Question.Role.getNumberValue();






                                                                      share|improve this answer














                                                                      share|improve this answer



                                                                      share|improve this answer








                                                                      edited Dec 9 '12 at 22:51









                                                                      Blachshma

                                                                      14.7k44060




                                                                      14.7k44060










                                                                      answered Dec 9 '12 at 22:09









                                                                      Bronek

                                                                      6,29023441




                                                                      6,29023441








                                                                      • 3




                                                                        Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 0:28






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
                                                                        – Bronek
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 3:20






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Aug 7 '13 at 14:45














                                                                      • 3




                                                                        Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 0:28






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
                                                                        – Bronek
                                                                        Dec 10 '12 at 3:20






                                                                      • 2




                                                                        @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
                                                                        – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                        Aug 7 '13 at 14:45








                                                                      3




                                                                      3




                                                                      Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
                                                                      – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                      Dec 10 '12 at 0:28




                                                                      Bronek, what you did is make up uninformative syntax through a (non generic btw) extension method that actually takes longer to write. I fail to see how it is better than the original solution by Tetraneutron. Let us not make this into a chat, help is always welcome in stackoverflow and everyone here is here to help. Please take my comment as constructive criticism.
                                                                      – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                      Dec 10 '12 at 0:28




                                                                      2




                                                                      2




                                                                      Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
                                                                      – Bronek
                                                                      Dec 10 '12 at 3:20




                                                                      Benjamin,first of all,why did you delete my comment?I don't understand your decisions-maybe somebody else through the community would agree with my comment.Secondly,my solution wraps Tetraneutron's one and accurately it is easier and less writing because an extension method is suggested by IntelliSense.So I think your decision is not impartial and representative.I see many similar answering on Stack and it is OK.Anyway I use my solution and maybe there are some people would choose my solution in the future,but these negative points make it harder to find.Most of all it is correct and not copy.
                                                                      – Bronek
                                                                      Dec 10 '12 at 3:20




                                                                      2




                                                                      2




                                                                      @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
                                                                      – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                      Aug 7 '13 at 14:45




                                                                      @Bronek If you don't ping me I get no indication that you replied. I did not delete your comment I do not have the ability or want to do so. Likely a mod came by and deleted it - you're welcome to flag it for moderator attention and ask why or better yet - ask on Meta Stack Overflow. I have an opinion about your solution from a programming stand point which is perfectly in my right - this is what comments are for to begin with, no need to take it personal.
                                                                      – Benjamin Gruenbaum
                                                                      Aug 7 '13 at 14:45











                                                                      9














                                                                      int number = Question.Role.GetHashCode();


                                                                      number should have the value 2.






                                                                      share|improve this answer























                                                                      • GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
                                                                        – ThanhLD
                                                                        Nov 9 at 4:08
















                                                                      9














                                                                      int number = Question.Role.GetHashCode();


                                                                      number should have the value 2.






                                                                      share|improve this answer























                                                                      • GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
                                                                        – ThanhLD
                                                                        Nov 9 at 4:08














                                                                      9












                                                                      9








                                                                      9






                                                                      int number = Question.Role.GetHashCode();


                                                                      number should have the value 2.






                                                                      share|improve this answer














                                                                      int number = Question.Role.GetHashCode();


                                                                      number should have the value 2.







                                                                      share|improve this answer














                                                                      share|improve this answer



                                                                      share|improve this answer








                                                                      edited Oct 27 '15 at 12:26









                                                                      Pepijn van Leeuwen

                                                                      488617




                                                                      488617










                                                                      answered Sep 18 '14 at 22:53









                                                                      JaimeArmenta

                                                                      9913




                                                                      9913












                                                                      • GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
                                                                        – ThanhLD
                                                                        Nov 9 at 4:08


















                                                                      • GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
                                                                        – ThanhLD
                                                                        Nov 9 at 4:08
















                                                                      GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
                                                                      – ThanhLD
                                                                      Nov 9 at 4:08




                                                                      GetHashCode is one way to get value from Enum common mask
                                                                      – ThanhLD
                                                                      Nov 9 at 4:08











                                                                      6














                                                                      How about a extension method instead:



                                                                      public static class ExtensionMethods
                                                                      {
                                                                      public static int IntValue(this Enum argEnum)
                                                                      {
                                                                      return Convert.ToInt32(argEnum);
                                                                      }
                                                                      }


                                                                      And the usage is slightly prettier:



                                                                      var intValue = Question.Role.IntValue();





                                                                      share|improve this answer


























                                                                        6














                                                                        How about a extension method instead:



                                                                        public static class ExtensionMethods
                                                                        {
                                                                        public static int IntValue(this Enum argEnum)
                                                                        {
                                                                        return Convert.ToInt32(argEnum);
                                                                        }
                                                                        }


                                                                        And the usage is slightly prettier:



                                                                        var intValue = Question.Role.IntValue();





                                                                        share|improve this answer
























                                                                          6












                                                                          6








                                                                          6






                                                                          How about a extension method instead:



                                                                          public static class ExtensionMethods
                                                                          {
                                                                          public static int IntValue(this Enum argEnum)
                                                                          {
                                                                          return Convert.ToInt32(argEnum);
                                                                          }
                                                                          }


                                                                          And the usage is slightly prettier:



                                                                          var intValue = Question.Role.IntValue();





                                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                                          How about a extension method instead:



                                                                          public static class ExtensionMethods
                                                                          {
                                                                          public static int IntValue(this Enum argEnum)
                                                                          {
                                                                          return Convert.ToInt32(argEnum);
                                                                          }
                                                                          }


                                                                          And the usage is slightly prettier:



                                                                          var intValue = Question.Role.IntValue();






                                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                                          share|improve this answer










                                                                          answered Apr 21 '14 at 2:51









                                                                          SixOThree

                                                                          4381819




                                                                          4381819























                                                                              3














                                                                              My fav hack with int or smaller enums:



                                                                              GetHashCode();


                                                                              For a enum



                                                                              public enum Test
                                                                              {
                                                                              Min = Int32.MinValue,
                                                                              One = 1,
                                                                              Max = Int32.MaxValue,
                                                                              }


                                                                              this



                                                                              var values = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Test));

                                                                              foreach (var val in values)
                                                                              {
                                                                              Console.WriteLine(val.GetHashCode());
                                                                              Console.WriteLine(((int)val));
                                                                              Console.WriteLine(val);
                                                                              }


                                                                              outputs



                                                                              one
                                                                              1
                                                                              1
                                                                              max
                                                                              2147483647
                                                                              2147483647
                                                                              min
                                                                              -2147483648
                                                                              -2147483648


                                                                              Disclaimer:
                                                                              Doesn't work for enums based on long






                                                                              share|improve this answer




























                                                                                3














                                                                                My fav hack with int or smaller enums:



                                                                                GetHashCode();


                                                                                For a enum



                                                                                public enum Test
                                                                                {
                                                                                Min = Int32.MinValue,
                                                                                One = 1,
                                                                                Max = Int32.MaxValue,
                                                                                }


                                                                                this



                                                                                var values = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Test));

                                                                                foreach (var val in values)
                                                                                {
                                                                                Console.WriteLine(val.GetHashCode());
                                                                                Console.WriteLine(((int)val));
                                                                                Console.WriteLine(val);
                                                                                }


                                                                                outputs



                                                                                one
                                                                                1
                                                                                1
                                                                                max
                                                                                2147483647
                                                                                2147483647
                                                                                min
                                                                                -2147483648
                                                                                -2147483648


                                                                                Disclaimer:
                                                                                Doesn't work for enums based on long






                                                                                share|improve this answer


























                                                                                  3












                                                                                  3








                                                                                  3






                                                                                  My fav hack with int or smaller enums:



                                                                                  GetHashCode();


                                                                                  For a enum



                                                                                  public enum Test
                                                                                  {
                                                                                  Min = Int32.MinValue,
                                                                                  One = 1,
                                                                                  Max = Int32.MaxValue,
                                                                                  }


                                                                                  this



                                                                                  var values = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Test));

                                                                                  foreach (var val in values)
                                                                                  {
                                                                                  Console.WriteLine(val.GetHashCode());
                                                                                  Console.WriteLine(((int)val));
                                                                                  Console.WriteLine(val);
                                                                                  }


                                                                                  outputs



                                                                                  one
                                                                                  1
                                                                                  1
                                                                                  max
                                                                                  2147483647
                                                                                  2147483647
                                                                                  min
                                                                                  -2147483648
                                                                                  -2147483648


                                                                                  Disclaimer:
                                                                                  Doesn't work for enums based on long






                                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                                  My fav hack with int or smaller enums:



                                                                                  GetHashCode();


                                                                                  For a enum



                                                                                  public enum Test
                                                                                  {
                                                                                  Min = Int32.MinValue,
                                                                                  One = 1,
                                                                                  Max = Int32.MaxValue,
                                                                                  }


                                                                                  this



                                                                                  var values = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Test));

                                                                                  foreach (var val in values)
                                                                                  {
                                                                                  Console.WriteLine(val.GetHashCode());
                                                                                  Console.WriteLine(((int)val));
                                                                                  Console.WriteLine(val);
                                                                                  }


                                                                                  outputs



                                                                                  one
                                                                                  1
                                                                                  1
                                                                                  max
                                                                                  2147483647
                                                                                  2147483647
                                                                                  min
                                                                                  -2147483648
                                                                                  -2147483648


                                                                                  Disclaimer:
                                                                                  Doesn't work for enums based on long







                                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                                  edited Jul 17 '15 at 13:47

























                                                                                  answered Jun 26 '15 at 16:51









                                                                                  Erik Karlsson

                                                                                  159111




                                                                                  159111























                                                                                      3














                                                                                      public enum Suit : int
                                                                                      {
                                                                                      Spades = 0,
                                                                                      Hearts = 1,
                                                                                      Clubs = 2,
                                                                                      Diamonds = 3
                                                                                      }

                                                                                      Console.WriteLine((int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Clubs"));

                                                                                      //from int
                                                                                      Console.WriteLine((Suit)1);

                                                                                      //From number you can also
                                                                                      Console.WriteLine((Suit)Enum.ToObject(typeof(Suit), 1));

                                                                                      if (typeof(Suit).IsEnumDefined("Spades"))
                                                                                      {
                                                                                      var res = (int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Spades");
                                                                                      Console.Out.WriteLine("{0}", res);
                                                                                      }





                                                                                      share|improve this answer


























                                                                                        3














                                                                                        public enum Suit : int
                                                                                        {
                                                                                        Spades = 0,
                                                                                        Hearts = 1,
                                                                                        Clubs = 2,
                                                                                        Diamonds = 3
                                                                                        }

                                                                                        Console.WriteLine((int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Clubs"));

                                                                                        //from int
                                                                                        Console.WriteLine((Suit)1);

                                                                                        //From number you can also
                                                                                        Console.WriteLine((Suit)Enum.ToObject(typeof(Suit), 1));

                                                                                        if (typeof(Suit).IsEnumDefined("Spades"))
                                                                                        {
                                                                                        var res = (int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Spades");
                                                                                        Console.Out.WriteLine("{0}", res);
                                                                                        }





                                                                                        share|improve this answer
























                                                                                          3












                                                                                          3








                                                                                          3






                                                                                          public enum Suit : int
                                                                                          {
                                                                                          Spades = 0,
                                                                                          Hearts = 1,
                                                                                          Clubs = 2,
                                                                                          Diamonds = 3
                                                                                          }

                                                                                          Console.WriteLine((int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Clubs"));

                                                                                          //from int
                                                                                          Console.WriteLine((Suit)1);

                                                                                          //From number you can also
                                                                                          Console.WriteLine((Suit)Enum.ToObject(typeof(Suit), 1));

                                                                                          if (typeof(Suit).IsEnumDefined("Spades"))
                                                                                          {
                                                                                          var res = (int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Spades");
                                                                                          Console.Out.WriteLine("{0}", res);
                                                                                          }





                                                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                                                          public enum Suit : int
                                                                                          {
                                                                                          Spades = 0,
                                                                                          Hearts = 1,
                                                                                          Clubs = 2,
                                                                                          Diamonds = 3
                                                                                          }

                                                                                          Console.WriteLine((int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Clubs"));

                                                                                          //from int
                                                                                          Console.WriteLine((Suit)1);

                                                                                          //From number you can also
                                                                                          Console.WriteLine((Suit)Enum.ToObject(typeof(Suit), 1));

                                                                                          if (typeof(Suit).IsEnumDefined("Spades"))
                                                                                          {
                                                                                          var res = (int)(Suit)Enum.Parse(typeof(Suit), "Spades");
                                                                                          Console.Out.WriteLine("{0}", res);
                                                                                          }






                                                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                                                          share|improve this answer










                                                                                          answered Jul 27 at 6:29









                                                                                          Gauravsa

                                                                                          2,2601816




                                                                                          2,2601816























                                                                                              3














                                                                                              Following is the extension method



                                                                                              public static string ToEnumString<TEnum>(this int enumValue)
                                                                                              {
                                                                                              var enumString = enumValue.ToString();
                                                                                              if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(TEnum), enumValue))
                                                                                              {
                                                                                              enumString = ((TEnum) Enum.ToObject(typeof (TEnum), enumValue)).ToString();
                                                                                              }
                                                                                              return enumString;
                                                                                              }





                                                                                              share|improve this answer




























                                                                                                3














                                                                                                Following is the extension method



                                                                                                public static string ToEnumString<TEnum>(this int enumValue)
                                                                                                {
                                                                                                var enumString = enumValue.ToString();
                                                                                                if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(TEnum), enumValue))
                                                                                                {
                                                                                                enumString = ((TEnum) Enum.ToObject(typeof (TEnum), enumValue)).ToString();
                                                                                                }
                                                                                                return enumString;
                                                                                                }





                                                                                                share|improve this answer


























                                                                                                  3












                                                                                                  3








                                                                                                  3






                                                                                                  Following is the extension method



                                                                                                  public static string ToEnumString<TEnum>(this int enumValue)
                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                  var enumString = enumValue.ToString();
                                                                                                  if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(TEnum), enumValue))
                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                  enumString = ((TEnum) Enum.ToObject(typeof (TEnum), enumValue)).ToString();
                                                                                                  }
                                                                                                  return enumString;
                                                                                                  }





                                                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                                                  Following is the extension method



                                                                                                  public static string ToEnumString<TEnum>(this int enumValue)
                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                  var enumString = enumValue.ToString();
                                                                                                  if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(TEnum), enumValue))
                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                  enumString = ((TEnum) Enum.ToObject(typeof (TEnum), enumValue)).ToString();
                                                                                                  }
                                                                                                  return enumString;
                                                                                                  }






                                                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                                                  edited Nov 16 at 6:25









                                                                                                  Ashish Kamble

                                                                                                  639519




                                                                                                  639519










                                                                                                  answered Dec 16 '16 at 6:58









                                                                                                  Kamran Shahid

                                                                                                  1,52822243




                                                                                                  1,52822243























                                                                                                      2














                                                                                                      The example I would like to suggest 'to get 'int' value from enum is,'



                                                                                                      public enum Sample
                                                                                                      {Book =1, Pen=2, Pencil =3}

                                                                                                      int answer = (int)Sample.Book;


                                                                                                      now the answer will be 1.



                                                                                                      I hope this might help someone.






                                                                                                      share|improve this answer


























                                                                                                        2














                                                                                                        The example I would like to suggest 'to get 'int' value from enum is,'



                                                                                                        public enum Sample
                                                                                                        {Book =1, Pen=2, Pencil =3}

                                                                                                        int answer = (int)Sample.Book;


                                                                                                        now the answer will be 1.



                                                                                                        I hope this might help someone.






                                                                                                        share|improve this answer
























                                                                                                          2












                                                                                                          2








                                                                                                          2






                                                                                                          The example I would like to suggest 'to get 'int' value from enum is,'



                                                                                                          public enum Sample
                                                                                                          {Book =1, Pen=2, Pencil =3}

                                                                                                          int answer = (int)Sample.Book;


                                                                                                          now the answer will be 1.



                                                                                                          I hope this might help someone.






                                                                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                                                                          The example I would like to suggest 'to get 'int' value from enum is,'



                                                                                                          public enum Sample
                                                                                                          {Book =1, Pen=2, Pencil =3}

                                                                                                          int answer = (int)Sample.Book;


                                                                                                          now the answer will be 1.



                                                                                                          I hope this might help someone.







                                                                                                          share|improve this answer












                                                                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                                                                          share|improve this answer










                                                                                                          answered Aug 3 '15 at 7:12









                                                                                                          Vivek

                                                                                                          62210




                                                                                                          62210























                                                                                                              2














                                                                                                              Since enums can be declared with multiple primitive types, a generic extension method to cast any enum type can be useful.



                                                                                                              enum Box
                                                                                                              {
                                                                                                              HEIGHT,
                                                                                                              WIDTH,
                                                                                                              DEPTH
                                                                                                              }

                                                                                                              public static void UseEnum()
                                                                                                              {
                                                                                                              int height = Box.HEIGHT.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                              int width = Box.WIDTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                              int depth = Box.DEPTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                              }

                                                                                                              public static T GetEnumValue<T>(this object e) => (T)e;





                                                                                                              share|improve this answer




























                                                                                                                2














                                                                                                                Since enums can be declared with multiple primitive types, a generic extension method to cast any enum type can be useful.



                                                                                                                enum Box
                                                                                                                {
                                                                                                                HEIGHT,
                                                                                                                WIDTH,
                                                                                                                DEPTH
                                                                                                                }

                                                                                                                public static void UseEnum()
                                                                                                                {
                                                                                                                int height = Box.HEIGHT.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                int width = Box.WIDTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                int depth = Box.DEPTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                }

                                                                                                                public static T GetEnumValue<T>(this object e) => (T)e;





                                                                                                                share|improve this answer


























                                                                                                                  2












                                                                                                                  2








                                                                                                                  2






                                                                                                                  Since enums can be declared with multiple primitive types, a generic extension method to cast any enum type can be useful.



                                                                                                                  enum Box
                                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                                  HEIGHT,
                                                                                                                  WIDTH,
                                                                                                                  DEPTH
                                                                                                                  }

                                                                                                                  public static void UseEnum()
                                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                                  int height = Box.HEIGHT.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                  int width = Box.WIDTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                  int depth = Box.DEPTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                  }

                                                                                                                  public static T GetEnumValue<T>(this object e) => (T)e;





                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                                                                  Since enums can be declared with multiple primitive types, a generic extension method to cast any enum type can be useful.



                                                                                                                  enum Box
                                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                                  HEIGHT,
                                                                                                                  WIDTH,
                                                                                                                  DEPTH
                                                                                                                  }

                                                                                                                  public static void UseEnum()
                                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                                  int height = Box.HEIGHT.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                  int width = Box.WIDTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                  int depth = Box.DEPTH.GetEnumValue<int>();
                                                                                                                  }

                                                                                                                  public static T GetEnumValue<T>(this object e) => (T)e;






                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer














                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                                                                                  edited Nov 16 at 6:49









                                                                                                                  Ashish Kamble

                                                                                                                  639519




                                                                                                                  639519










                                                                                                                  answered Dec 6 '17 at 5:14









                                                                                                                  Jeffrey Ferreiras

                                                                                                                  1656




                                                                                                                  1656























                                                                                                                      1














                                                                                                                      The easiest solution I can think of is overloading the Get(int) method like this:



                                                                                                                      [modifiers] Questions Get(Question q)
                                                                                                                      {
                                                                                                                      return Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                      }


                                                                                                                      where [modifiers] can generally be same as for Get(int) method. If You can't edit the Questions class or for some reason don't want to, You can overload the method by writing an extension:



                                                                                                                      public static class Extensions
                                                                                                                      {
                                                                                                                      public static Questions Get(this Questions qs, Question q)
                                                                                                                      {
                                                                                                                      return qs.Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                      }
                                                                                                                      }





                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer




























                                                                                                                        1














                                                                                                                        The easiest solution I can think of is overloading the Get(int) method like this:



                                                                                                                        [modifiers] Questions Get(Question q)
                                                                                                                        {
                                                                                                                        return Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                        }


                                                                                                                        where [modifiers] can generally be same as for Get(int) method. If You can't edit the Questions class or for some reason don't want to, You can overload the method by writing an extension:



                                                                                                                        public static class Extensions
                                                                                                                        {
                                                                                                                        public static Questions Get(this Questions qs, Question q)
                                                                                                                        {
                                                                                                                        return qs.Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                        }
                                                                                                                        }





                                                                                                                        share|improve this answer


























                                                                                                                          1












                                                                                                                          1








                                                                                                                          1






                                                                                                                          The easiest solution I can think of is overloading the Get(int) method like this:



                                                                                                                          [modifiers] Questions Get(Question q)
                                                                                                                          {
                                                                                                                          return Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                          }


                                                                                                                          where [modifiers] can generally be same as for Get(int) method. If You can't edit the Questions class or for some reason don't want to, You can overload the method by writing an extension:



                                                                                                                          public static class Extensions
                                                                                                                          {
                                                                                                                          public static Questions Get(this Questions qs, Question q)
                                                                                                                          {
                                                                                                                          return qs.Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                          }
                                                                                                                          }





                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer














                                                                                                                          The easiest solution I can think of is overloading the Get(int) method like this:



                                                                                                                          [modifiers] Questions Get(Question q)
                                                                                                                          {
                                                                                                                          return Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                          }


                                                                                                                          where [modifiers] can generally be same as for Get(int) method. If You can't edit the Questions class or for some reason don't want to, You can overload the method by writing an extension:



                                                                                                                          public static class Extensions
                                                                                                                          {
                                                                                                                          public static Questions Get(this Questions qs, Question q)
                                                                                                                          {
                                                                                                                          return qs.Get((int)q);
                                                                                                                          }
                                                                                                                          }






                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer














                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer








                                                                                                                          edited Jan 28 '13 at 14:09

























                                                                                                                          answered Jan 28 '13 at 13:52









                                                                                                                          Grx70

                                                                                                                          7,20112140




                                                                                                                          7,20112140























                                                                                                                              1














                                                                                                                              Try this one instead of convert enum to int:



                                                                                                                              public static class ReturnType
                                                                                                                              {
                                                                                                                              public static readonly int Success = 1;
                                                                                                                              public static readonly int Duplicate = 2;
                                                                                                                              public static readonly int Error = -1;
                                                                                                                              }





                                                                                                                              share|improve this answer


























                                                                                                                                1














                                                                                                                                Try this one instead of convert enum to int:



                                                                                                                                public static class ReturnType
                                                                                                                                {
                                                                                                                                public static readonly int Success = 1;
                                                                                                                                public static readonly int Duplicate = 2;
                                                                                                                                public static readonly int Error = -1;
                                                                                                                                }





                                                                                                                                share|improve this answer
























                                                                                                                                  1












                                                                                                                                  1








                                                                                                                                  1






                                                                                                                                  Try this one instead of convert enum to int:



                                                                                                                                  public static class ReturnType
                                                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                                                  public static readonly int Success = 1;
                                                                                                                                  public static readonly int Duplicate = 2;
                                                                                                                                  public static readonly int Error = -1;
                                                                                                                                  }





                                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer












                                                                                                                                  Try this one instead of convert enum to int:



                                                                                                                                  public static class ReturnType
                                                                                                                                  {
                                                                                                                                  public static readonly int Success = 1;
                                                                                                                                  public static readonly int Duplicate = 2;
                                                                                                                                  public static readonly int Error = -1;
                                                                                                                                  }






                                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer












                                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                                  share|improve this answer










                                                                                                                                  answered Jan 14 '14 at 20:28









                                                                                                                                  Nalan Madheswaran

                                                                                                                                  4,78212923




                                                                                                                                  4,78212923























                                                                                                                                      1














                                                                                                                                      In Vb. It should be



                                                                                                                                      Public Enum Question
                                                                                                                                      Role = 2
                                                                                                                                      ProjectFunding = 3
                                                                                                                                      TotalEmployee = 4
                                                                                                                                      NumberOfServers = 5
                                                                                                                                      TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                                                                                      End Enum

                                                                                                                                      Private value As Integer = CInt(Question.Role)





                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer





















                                                                                                                                      • The question is for C#.
                                                                                                                                        – Ctrl S
                                                                                                                                        Nov 19 at 13:37
















                                                                                                                                      1














                                                                                                                                      In Vb. It should be



                                                                                                                                      Public Enum Question
                                                                                                                                      Role = 2
                                                                                                                                      ProjectFunding = 3
                                                                                                                                      TotalEmployee = 4
                                                                                                                                      NumberOfServers = 5
                                                                                                                                      TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                                                                                      End Enum

                                                                                                                                      Private value As Integer = CInt(Question.Role)





                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer





















                                                                                                                                      • The question is for C#.
                                                                                                                                        – Ctrl S
                                                                                                                                        Nov 19 at 13:37














                                                                                                                                      1












                                                                                                                                      1








                                                                                                                                      1






                                                                                                                                      In Vb. It should be



                                                                                                                                      Public Enum Question
                                                                                                                                      Role = 2
                                                                                                                                      ProjectFunding = 3
                                                                                                                                      TotalEmployee = 4
                                                                                                                                      NumberOfServers = 5
                                                                                                                                      TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                                                                                      End Enum

                                                                                                                                      Private value As Integer = CInt(Question.Role)





                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer












                                                                                                                                      In Vb. It should be



                                                                                                                                      Public Enum Question
                                                                                                                                      Role = 2
                                                                                                                                      ProjectFunding = 3
                                                                                                                                      TotalEmployee = 4
                                                                                                                                      NumberOfServers = 5
                                                                                                                                      TopBusinessConcern = 6
                                                                                                                                      End Enum

                                                                                                                                      Private value As Integer = CInt(Question.Role)






                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer












                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer










                                                                                                                                      answered Apr 12 '16 at 7:09









                                                                                                                                      VPP

                                                                                                                                      2451418




                                                                                                                                      2451418












                                                                                                                                      • The question is for C#.
                                                                                                                                        – Ctrl S
                                                                                                                                        Nov 19 at 13:37


















                                                                                                                                      • The question is for C#.
                                                                                                                                        – Ctrl S
                                                                                                                                        Nov 19 at 13:37
















                                                                                                                                      The question is for C#.
                                                                                                                                      – Ctrl S
                                                                                                                                      Nov 19 at 13:37




                                                                                                                                      The question is for C#.
                                                                                                                                      – Ctrl S
                                                                                                                                      Nov 19 at 13:37











                                                                                                                                      -14














                                                                                                                                      Try this :



                                                                                                                                      int value = YourEnum.ToString("D");





                                                                                                                                      share|improve this answer




























                                                                                                                                        -14














                                                                                                                                        Try this :



                                                                                                                                        int value = YourEnum.ToString("D");





                                                                                                                                        share|improve this answer


























                                                                                                                                          -14












                                                                                                                                          -14








                                                                                                                                          -14






                                                                                                                                          Try this :



                                                                                                                                          int value = YourEnum.ToString("D");





                                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer














                                                                                                                                          Try this :



                                                                                                                                          int value = YourEnum.ToString("D");






                                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer














                                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer



                                                                                                                                          share|improve this answer








                                                                                                                                          edited Oct 23 '13 at 7:47









                                                                                                                                          bluish

                                                                                                                                          13.7k1693147




                                                                                                                                          13.7k1693147










                                                                                                                                          answered Jan 10 '13 at 7:37









                                                                                                                                          Caryn

                                                                                                                                          11




                                                                                                                                          11

















                                                                                                                                              protected by Robert Levy Jul 17 '15 at 13:59



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