Converting enum to int

Question

I have the following enum

public enum TESTENUM
{
    Value1 = 1,
    Value2 = 2
}

I then want to use this to compare to an integer variable that I have, like this:

if ( myValue == TESTENUM.Value1 )
{
}

But in order to do this test I have to cast the enum as follows (or presumably declare the integer as type enum):

if ( myValue == (int) TESTENUM.Value1 )
{
}

Is there a way that I can tell the compiler that the enum is a series of integers, so that I don’t have to do this cast or redefine the variable?

codekaizen · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-22 09:21:21Z

12

No. You need to cast the enum value. If you don't want to cast, then consider using a class with constant int values:

class static EnumLikeClass
{
    public const int Value1 = 1;
    public const int Value2 = 2;
}

However, there are some downsides to this; the lack of type safety being a big reason to use the enum.

edited Jun 22, 2010 at 9:21

answered Jun 22, 2010 at 8:03

codekaizen

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Comments

Juan Nunez · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-22 08:01:54Z

2

You can tell the enum that it contains integers:

public enum TESTENUM: int
{
    Value1 = 1,
    Value2 = 2
}

However you have to still cast them manually,

answered Jun 22, 2010 at 8:01

Juan Nunez

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2 Comments

Xavier Poinas Over a year ago

All enums are int by default.

Chinjoo Over a year ago

you dont have to provide :Int as it is by default.

PjL · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-22 09:58:41Z

2

Keep in mind that casting the enum value in your context is exactly how you tell the compiler that "look here, I know this enum value to be of type int, so use it as such".

answered Jun 22, 2010 at 9:58

PjL

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Comments

Pavel Radzivilovsky · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-22 08:00:59Z

1

No there isn't (unlike C++), and for a good reason of type safety.

answered Jun 22, 2010 at 8:00

Pavel Radzivilovsky

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