enum's numerical value

items in an enum are assigned a value, right? If I try to get the value of an enum variable, it only gives me the name of the variable as a string. For saving and loading purposes it would be nice if I could get the numerical value instead.

To get the numerical value of the enum, just cast it as an int;

C# Code:

public enum Test
{
  Zero,
  One,
  Two
}

C# Code:

Console.WriteLine((int)Test.Two);

It is worth noting that it is good practise to initialise your first enum value to 0.

Code:

---

public enum Test2
{ 
    Zero = 0, 
    One, 
    Two
}

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by x-ice

It is worth noting that it is good practise to initialise your first enum value to 0.

Code:

---

public enum Test2
{ 
    Zero = 0, 
    One, 
    Two
}

---

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Not exactly, that's not necessary all the time. If you want the first value not to start from 0 then you don't have to set it to 0. You don't really need to set anything if you're just going to use the value names. It's all sequential.

If you would like your enum values to start at n>0 you have to specify the value of your first element as it defaults to 0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by x-ice

If you would like your enum values to start at n>0 you have to specify the value of your first element as it defaults to 0

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That was my point though. You don't have to set it to 0.

The main reason i always set it to zero as above is for the sake of readability

Enum is nothing but readable variable

Code:

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public enum Test2
{ 
    Zero = 0, 
    One=1, 
    Two=2,
}

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