String Enumeration in C#
I have always had the need to use String Enumerations. What do I mean by that?
Suppose we have this Enum Type:
public enum StringNames
{
Bilal,
Wessam,
Elsa,
Samer,
Tarek,
Farah,
Firas,
Mohammad
}
In my code, I would like to have something as:
string _Name = "Bilal";
switch (_Name)
{
case StringNames.Bilal:
break;
case StringNames.Wessam:
break;
case StringNames.Elsa:
break;
.......
}
Well the above doesn't work as it is. How to make it work?
There is a method called Enum.Parse, there are two overloads, we will be using the one with the IgnoreCase boolean option as follows:
StringNames _StringNames = (StringNames)Enum.Parse(typeof(StringNames), _Name, true);
This will convert the string value "Bilal" contained in _Names, into a EnumType value, so now after executing the above statement, you have:
_StringNames = StringNames.Bilal
So, StringNames.Bilal is an EnumValue equals the EnumValue _StringNames, so rewriting the above switch statement would be something as:
string _Name = "Bilal";
StringNames _StringNames = (StringNames)Enum.Parse(typeof(StringNames),_Name,true);
switch (_StringNames)
{
case StringNames.Bilal:
break;
case StringNames.Wessam:
break;
case StringNames.Elsa:
break;
.......
}
I want to thank my colleague Raed for uncovering for me the real return type of the Enum.Parse method.
Hope helps you out!
Regards