Static enum in C#
Hello,
I need to create some sort of static enumeration, but it's not allowed in C#, e.g. if I try the following:
static public enum  myEnum{ Option1 = 1, Option2, Option3 };
it will error out. I need to have it static as I do my calculations in different classes that interact with each other and one piece of a data is an array (i.e. int[] arOptions ). So when I use this array, I don't want to do this:
arOptions[ 3 ] = ...
as if I later decide to change meaning of #3, it will be a nightmare to change all references, instead, I want to do
arOptions[ Option3 ] = ...
And the only way to use enums now is to define the same enum in each class, but that's not good programming either.
So, how can and can I employ strong typing in my case?
Thanks
I need to create some sort of static enumeration, but it's not allowed in C#, e.g. if I try the following:
static public enum  myEnum{ Option1 = 1, Option2, Option3 };
it will error out. I need to have it static as I do my calculations in different classes that interact with each other and one piece of a data is an array (i.e. int[] arOptions ). So when I use this array, I don't want to do this:
arOptions[ 3 ] = ...
as if I later decide to change meaning of #3, it will be a nightmare to change all references, instead, I want to do
arOptions[ Option3 ] = ...
And the only way to use enums now is to define the same enum in each class, but that's not good programming either.
So, how can and can I employ strong typing in my case?
Thanks
ViceroyFizzlebottom
You can define the Enum in it's own file under a specific namespace. Then for every file which references it, you can simply include a #using <whatever> to get access. It will also allow you to only change the specific values in only one place.
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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Oh, one more thing. Remember that your enumeration will start numbering from your first specified value. If you make your first value = 1, choosing the "third" member will access the forth element of the array (aka, index 3, but "slot" 4). Was this intentional?
ASKER
2 Nate,
Very elaborated answer, thanks a lot. Dropping a static keyword worked as suggested. Using value = 1 was intentional as 0-slot was used for maintenance and in my case counting from 1 was easier than from 0.
Thanks a lot,
Yurich
Very elaborated answer, thanks a lot. Dropping a static keyword worked as suggested. Using value = 1 was intentional as 0-slot was used for maintenance and in my case counting from 1 was easier than from 0.
Thanks a lot,
Yurich