C# 4.0 How-To

Chapter 6. Enumerations

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Declare an Enumeration

• Declare Flags as an Enumeration

• Determine if a Flag Is Set

• Convert an Enumeration to an Integer (and Vice Versa)

• Determine if an Enumeration Is Valid

• List Enumeration Values

• Convert a String to an Enumeration

• Attach Metadata to Enums with Extension Methods

• Enumeration Tips

Enumerations bridge the gap between numbers and objects. More than a numerical ID, less than a struct, they fill that niche where you want a well-understood name without any extra baggage. You can think of them as (mostly) type-safe constants.

Enumerations also provide type-safe functionality for flags.

Declare an Enumeration

Scenario/Problem: You need to represent a limited set of well-known, ...