Moving Beyond Enumerations: ASP Alliance

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Moving Beyond Enumerations

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Published: 30 Aug 2011

Abstract
Enumerations provide far more readable code than magic strings or magic numbers. However, often developers try to stretch enums beyond their intended use. This article describes how to appropriately extend enums, and how to move beyond enums when the needs of the system require it.

by Steven Smith
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Article Contents:

Introduction

Enumerations in C# and .NET are value types with a set of related named constants. Using enumerations often results in more readable code, and can help to ensure developers choose appropriate values by limiting possible options to those defined in the enum. However, when the things represented by the enum start to require additional behavior, it is often best to move beyond the enum and start using classes instead.

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User Comments

Title: Good Catch
Name: Steve Smith
Date: 2011-08-30 7:56:15 PM
Comment:
@Ian,
Good catch. Yes, those fields should be readonly, of course.

Thanks!
Steve

Title: public static roles should be readonly
Name: Ian Mercer
Date: 2011-08-30 5:01:05 PM
Comment:
Totally agree that enums should be replaced with classes as soon as they stop being enums. One improvement to your class would be to make all the values readonly, e.g.

public static readonly Author ...