passing an enum type as a parameter ??!

hello all.. I'm just wondering if its possible to pass an enum type as a parameter ??

this is my program. The last 2 lines in the constructor are not workin.. how can I pass the 2 enum types as parameters and assign them to the original enum values above ??

public class Person {

enum Sex { MALE, FEMALE }
enum Size {SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, X LARGE}

String name;
int age;
double money,

public Person (String name, int age, double money, Sex sex, Size size) {
this.name = name;
this.age = age;
this.money = money;

this.Sex = sex;
this.Size = size;
}


}

Thanks for the help.

enums are immutable in Java. So it's expecting that pass to enum by reference. But Java only allowed to pass-by-value. Just think about it first.

What is the error message you are getting? It really helps us if you'd give that!!!

Is it like this:
Person.java:17: cannot find symbol
symbol : variable sex
location: class TestEnum
this.sex = sex;

Where in your program is the variable sex defined?
Add a definition for it and the compiler should be happy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Norm

What is the error message you are getting? It really helps us if you'd give that!!!

Is it like this:
Person.java:17: cannot find symbol
symbol : variable sex
location: class TestEnum
this.sex = sex;

Where in your program is the variable sex defined?
Add a definition for it and the compiler should be happy.

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The error is "cant find symbol variable Sex" & "cant find symbol variable Size".

I'm referring to the enum Sex and enum Size as an instance variable with the (this) in the constructor. And I'm takin them as parameters as variables too.. (Sex sex) & (Size size).. and thats my question..is it possible to do that somehow or not ??

Thanks for the help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eranga

enums are immutable in Java. So it's expecting that pass to enum by reference. But Java only allowed to pass-by-value. Just think about it first.

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I see what you mean.. so Java treats enums like objects, and their value wont get changed even if it was possible to pass it as an argument in the constructor. It makes kind of sense now..

Quote:

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cant find symbol variable Sex" & "cant find symbol variable Size".

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Is that the exact text of the error message?
Or did the error message have sex and size? Note lowercase!!!
The name of the variable, not the name of the enum. Look at the error message I posted.
I was able to get the program to compile by adding the correct definitions and able to create a new instance of the class.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Norm

Is that the exact text of the error message?
Or did the error message have sex and size? Note lowercase!!!
The name of the variable, not the name of the enum. Look at the error message I posted.
I was able to get the program to compile by adding the correct definitions and able to create a new instance of the class.

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Yes thats the exact message. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I think the compiler is confused because I referring to the enum type with the keyword (this.) so the compiler is assuming that there exists an instance variable called Size and Sex. Anyway.. I tried a couple of other things and It didnt work out either.

Like Eranka mentioend.. I think theres no way that you can take an enum as a parameter and then assign values to it, because enums are immutable.

Anyway, thanks for the help guys.

Please compile your program and copy the full text of the error messages here. What you posted looks like you editted the output.
It's very important the we see the EXACT error message as produced by the compiler!

As I said before, I was able to make some very simple additions/changes to your code and have it compile OK. Your code will work. Keep trying.

Clue: where is the variable referenced by "this.Sex" defined? Sex is the name of an enum, not the name of a variable. You need a variable of type Sex (perhaps called sex) to save the passed variables in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCS17

hello all.. I'm just wondering if its possible to pass an enum type as a parameter ??

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http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/...ge/enums.htmlv

Treat Enums as a special kind of class, where the enum elements are public static instances automatically created for you:

Code:

---

enum Sex { MALE, FEMALE }
enum Size { SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, X_LARGE }

class Person {
    Sex sex;
    Size size;
    String name;
    int age;
    double money;

    public Person(String name, int age, double money, Sex sex, Size size) {
        this.name = name;
        this.age = age;
        this.money = money;

        this.sex = sex;
        this.size = size;
    }
}

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Norm

Clue: where is the variable referenced by "this.Sex" defined? Sex is the name of an enum, not the name of a variable. You need a variable of type Sex (perhaps called sex) to save the passed variables in.

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Thats what I've been saying.. I've been referring to the enum type named Sex as an instance variable in my constructor with (this.Sex).
Anyway I tried making a Sex and Size objects inside the class, which is exactly what you're suggesting and it worked !!.

Now of course they'll be treated as static methods:

Person person = new Person("Name", 21, 2.20, Person.Sex.MALE, Person.Size.MEDIUM);

But it makes more sense now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dlorde

Treat Enums as a special kind of class, where the enum elements are public static instances automatically created for you:

Code:

---

enum Sex { MALE, FEMALE }
enum Size { SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, X_LARGE }

class Person {
    Sex sex;
    Size size;
    String name;
    int age;
    double money;

    public Person(String name, int age, double money, Sex sex, Size size) {
        this.name = name;
        this.age = age;
        this.money = money;

        this.sex = sex;
        this.size = size;
    }
}

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Exactly what I did. Thanks :).