Best method to store Enum in Database

Question

What is the best method of storing an Enum in a Database using C# And Visual Studio and MySQL Data Connector.

I am going to be creating a new project with over 100 Enums, and majority of them will have to be stored in the database. Creating converters for each one would be a long winded process therefore I'm wondering if visual studio or someone has any methods for this that I haven't heard off.

Answer 1

    [Required]     public virtual int PhoneTypeId     {         get         {             return (int)this.PhoneType;         }         set         {             PhoneType = (PhoneTypes)value;         }     }     [EnumDataType(typeof(PhoneTypes))]     public PhoneTypes PhoneType { get; set; }  public enum PhoneTypes {     Mobile = 0,     Home = 1,     Work = 2,     Fax = 3,     Other = 4 } 

Works like a charm! No need to convert (int)Enum or (Enum)int in code. Just use the enum and ef code first will save the int for you. p.s.: "[EnumDataType(typeof(PhoneTypes))]" attribute is not required, just an extra if you want additional functionality.

Alternatively you can do:

[Required]     public virtual int PhoneTypeId { get; set; }     [EnumDataType(typeof(PhoneTypes))]     public PhoneTypes PhoneType     {         get         {             return (PhoneTypes)this.PhoneTypeId;         }         set         {             this.PhoneTypeId = (int)value;         }     }