Enum Keyword In Java - learngreen.net

 

   The concept of enumerations plays a big role in programming. It's a way to organize a group of named things in a structured manner. In the programming world, especially in Java, there's a powerful tool called the enum keyword that helps achieve this. This article takes a deep dive into the enum keyword in Java, explaining its benefits, uses, and how it makes code easier to read.

An "enumeration," sometimes just called "enum," is a special kind of data type. It's like a list of named values, also known as "enumerators" or "constants." The main idea behind enumerations is to group related values together. Usually, these values are constants with specific meanings. Using enums to define a set of named constants can make your code easier to understand, and maintain, and less prone to errors.

In Java programming, an enumeration is a bit like a special class. Even though you don't create enums using the usual `new` keyword, they have many of the same features as regular classes. This gives enums a lot of flexibility. Just like with classes, you can give enums special tasks to do.

What makes Java enums unique is their versatility. They aren't just limited to holding named values; they can do much more. Besides being containers for constants, enums can also have behaviors and characteristics that make your code more powerful. They can be more than just labels – they can hold important information and perform actions.

However, there are some important things to remember about enums. Unlike classes, enums can't be expanded by adding more things to them. This means they can't become larger or more important over time. They also can't copy things from other classes. But even with these limitations, enums can still have their own unique abilities.

For example, you can give enums special instructions when they're created. It's like telling them how to get ready for their job. You can also attach specific information to each enumerator by using instance variables. Additionally, you can include methods within enums, allowing them to perform actions. This makes enums more than just placeholders for constants; they become dynamic parts of your code.

Enums can also be used in decision-making. For instance, they work really well with something called "switch" statements. These statements help your program make choices based on different options. Using enums with switch statements makes your code cleaner and more reliable because you're telling the program exactly what to do in each case.

In simple terms, enums in Java are like super organizers. They're great for grouping related things together in a neat way. While they can't become bigger or copy from other classes like regular classes can, they have their own unique talents. They make code easier to read, and they're a perfect match for making decisions in your program. So, next time you're organizing your crayons, think about how enums do something similar for your code!

   

  package Java;
   //Define an enum named "Day" to represent days of the week
   enum Day{
   SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY,
   WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY,
   SATURDAY 
   }
  //Main class to illustrate the usage of the enum
   public class EnumIllustration {
  /* Create an instance of the "Day" 
   * enum and assign it the value "WEDNESDAY"	 
   */
   public static void main(String[] args) {
   Day obj = Day.WEDNESDAY;
   /* Print the value of the "obj"
    * variable, which is the day 
    * "WEDNESDAY"
    */
   System.out.println(obj);
	  }
   }
 

 

    package Java;
   /* Define an enum named "complexionsthings"
   * to represent different complexion-related things
   */
    enum complexionsthings{
	 Yellow,
	 Orange,
	 Pink;
    }
  // Main class to illustrate the usage of the enum
    public class Complexion {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
   /* Create an instance of the "ComplexionsThings"
    * enum and assign it the value "Orange"	  
    */
    complexionsthings obj = complexionsthings.Orange;
   /* Print the value of the "obj" variable,
    * which is the complexion-related thing "Orange" 
    */
    System.out.println(obj);
	   }
   }