How can I reference my Java Enum without specifying its type

Question

I have a class that defines its own enum like this:

public class Test
{
    enum MyEnum{E1, E2};

    public static void aTestMethod() {
        Test2(E1);  // << Gives "E1 cannot be resolved" in eclipse.
    }
    public Test2(MyEnum e) {}
}

If I specify MyEnum.E1 it works fine, but I'd really just like to have it as "E1". Any idea how I can accomplish this, or does it have to be defined in another file for this to work?

CONCLUSION: I hadn't been able to get the syntax for the import correct. Since several answers suggested this was possible, I'm going to select the one that gave me the syntax I needed and upvote the others.

By the way, a REALLY STRANGE part of this (before I got the static import to work), a switch statement I'd written that used the enum did not allow the enum to be prefixed by its type--all the rest of the code required it. Hurt my head.

Regarding the "really strange" behavior on the switch statements: Java does this on all enums in a switch statement. Since you know what type you're switching on, they figure there's no reason to make you specify the type again in every case block. download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/javaOO/enum.html — StriplingWarrior
– StriplingWarrior, Commented Sep 29, 2011 at 23:56
I guess what got to me is that it would not allow the Enum type prefix. Everywhere else prefixing is either required (if not imported) or optional. — Bill K
– Bill K, Commented Apr 4, 2014 at 16:25
I agree with you in reference to the switch inconsistency, makes less experienced Java programmers scratch their heads. — jmarkmurphy
– jmarkmurphy, Commented Sep 23, 2015 at 14:07

Pascal Thivent · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-04 22:46:05Z

157

Actually, you can do a static import of a nested enum. The code below compiles fine:

package mypackage;

import static mypackage.Test.MyEnum.*;

public class Test
{
    enum MyEnum{E1, E2};

    public static void aTestMethod() {
        Test2(E1);  
    }

    public static void Test2(MyEnum e) {}
}

edited Nov 4, 2009 at 22:46

answered Nov 4, 2009 at 22:18

Pascal Thivent

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11 Comments

Bill K Over a year ago

I alluded to this as a solution in my question, but I'd really rather not do that. The enums are only used inside this one file. It just seems strange that this doesn't just automatically work.

Kevin Bourrillion Over a year ago

@Bill K, why do you think it should automatically work? How would you expect this to work then? class A { enum B {X,Y}; enum C {X,Z}; }

Chry Cheng Over a year ago

This solution works only because MyEnum is visible outside of Test. Solution will not work if MyEnum is, e.g., private.

JRr Over a year ago

Do not forget the last part, symbols ".*" in "import static mypackage.Test.MyEnum.*;" as I did!

Angel O'Sphere Over a year ago

The word nested should be underlined. Funny that you can not static import a non nested enum. You can do it in Groovy, but in my Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEs I have the same problem as above: no autocompletion for enums, not even if I use the enum type as in TYPE.VA...

|

Yishai · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-04 22:32:13Z

18

You can do a static import on a nested class:

import static apackage.Test.Enum.*;

answered Nov 4, 2009 at 22:32

Yishai

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Comments

Jayen · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-19 06:11:19Z

11

The Test class has to be defined in a package to be importable.

With package defined in Test (IT WORKS):

package mypackage;

You can use:

import static mypackage.Test.MyEnum.*;

Without package defined, you cannot use (DOES NOT WORK):

import static Test.MyEnum.*;

edited Nov 19, 2016 at 6:11

answered Sep 29, 2011 at 23:51

Jayen

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1 Comment

jumping_monkey Over a year ago

Great point >> Without package defined, you cannot use (DOES NOT WORK):

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