Returning the text (string value) of an enum value

Question

I have this enum:

public enum Lang
{
    English = 0,
    Romaji = 1,
    Kana = 2,
    Kanji = 3,
}

I know I can write:

var a = Lang.English
var b = a;

and set b to be equal to 0. However is there any way that I can set b equal to "English" if given a?

Please clarify. To my understanding, the above statements would already set b to Lang.English, which would correspond to an integer value of 0. — Codor
– Codor, Commented Nov 26, 2016 at 12:05
Basically, assume printing a would print "English", he wants b to do the same instead of printing 0. — devRicher
– devRicher, Commented Nov 26, 2016 at 12:06

Christos · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-26 12:26:37Z

5

Essentially an enum is a set of named constants. So instead of using the constants, you use their names to make your code more readable.

The value of b would be equal to the named constant Lang.English and it's type wouldn't be of a string but it would be of Lang. So casting b to an int, you would get 0.

However is there any way that I can set b equal to "English" if given a?

Yes, you could try the following:

string b = Enum.GetName(typeof(Lang),Lang.English);

For a demo, please have a look here

edited Nov 26, 2016 at 12:26

answered Nov 26, 2016 at 12:07

Christos

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