java enum : type safety

[rsai]

Hello,

I am trying to understand the importance of Java Enum and wondering what value is the java enum is bringing in?

I mean prior to 1.5, we used to use:

public static int ONE = 1;
public static int TWO = 1;

Now with enum, we are defining differently

public class enum{

ONE (1), TWO(2);

}

Not very clear as to what type safety info is the enum having over the previous version and the other advantages.

Thanks in advance,

[wsaryada]

Using enum will give you compile time checking of valid values. From the example you give above let say that you have a method like this:

public void doSomething(int param) {
...
}

You can pass the constant such as ONE, TWO as the param values. But you can also pass 3, 4, 5, etc as the value to the param.

If you change the param to use enum then you can ensure that the param can only accept the value of ONE or TWO of your enum. No other value will be accepted as the param.

public void doSomething(MyEnum param) {
...
}

[pbrockway2]

Using enum will give you compile time checking of valid values

The annoying Font(String,int,int) constructor being an example. Who remembers whether the arguments are name-style-size or name-size-style? The problem wouldn't arise if the style were properly typed as a Style rather than misusing int.

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It strikes me that Google is a better place to apply for an answer to this question (and its ilk). The introduction of enums was accompanied at the time with much fanfare and blogging which remain, to this day, as rounded, considered answers to the question. If something found there is confusing or strikes you as wrong, ask a particular question about that.