Define enums within a method in C#?

Question

I have mainly a C++ background and I am learning C#. So, I need some help with C# idioms and style.

I am trying to write, in C#, a small text-file parsing method in which I need a simple state variable with three states. In C++ I would declare an enum like this for the state variable:

enum { stHeader, stBody, stFooter} state = stBody; 

...and then use it in my parsing loop like this:

if (state == stHeader && input == ".endheader") {   state = stBody; } 

In C# I realize that it is not possible to declare an enum inside a method. So, what I am supposed to do for sake of clean style? Declare this internal enum outside of the method? Use magic numbers 1,2,3? Create a separate class for this?

Please help me clear up my confusion.

Answer 1

The closest you can get is a private nested enum with in the class:

public class TheClass {     private enum TheEnum      {        stHeader,         stBody,         stFooter     }      // ...the rest of the methods properties etc...  } 

Answer 2

You can also use the constant variables but I prefer and I think is better code style to use Enums

 public class Class1 {     private enum TheEnum     {         stHeader,         stBody,         stFooter     }     public void SomeMethodEnum()     {         TheEnum state = TheEnum.stBody;         switch (state)         {             case TheEnum.stHeader:                 //do something                 break;             case TheEnum.stBody:                 break;             case TheEnum.stFooter:                 break;             default:                 throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException();         }     }       public void SomeMethodConst()     {         int state = 1;         const int Header = 1;         const int Body = 2;         const int Footer = 3;          switch (state)         {             case Header:                 break;             case Body:                 break;             case Footer:                 break;             default:                 throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException();         }      } }