enum's numerical value

[drdress]

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.

[kfcSmitty]

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

public enum Test
{
  Zero,
  One,
  Two
}

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

[x-ice]

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

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

[AceInfinity]

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

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

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.

[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

[AceInfinity]

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

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

[x-ice]

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

[firoz.raj]

Enum is nothing but readable variable

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