How can I convert List<string> to List<myEnumType>?

Question

I failed to convert List<string> to List<myEnumType>. I don't know why?

string Val = it.Current.Value.ToString(); // works well here
List<myEnumType> ValList = new List<myEnumType>(Val.Split(',')); // compile failed

Of cause myEnumType type defined as string enum type as this,

public enum myEnumType
{
    strVal_1,
    strVal_2,
    strVal_3,
}

Is there anything wrong? Appreciated for you replies.

Answer 1

EDIT: Oops, I missed the C# 2 tag as well. I'll leave the other options available below, but:

In C# 2, you're probably best using List<T>.ConvertAll:

List<MyEnumType> enumList = stringList.ConvertAll(delegate(string x) {
    return (MyEnumType) Enum.Parse(typeof(MyEnumType), x); });

or with Unconstrained Melody:

List<MyEnumType> enumList = stringList.ConvertAll(delegate(string x) {
    return Enums.ParseName<MyEnumType>(x); });

Note that this does assume you really have a List<string> to start with, which is correct for your title but not for the body in your question. Fortunately there's an equivalent static Array.ConvertAll method which you'd have to use like this:

MyEnumType[] enumArray = Array.ConvertAll(stringArray, delegate (string x) {
    return (MyEnumType) Enum.Parse(typeof(MyEnumType), x); });

---

Original answer

Two options:

• Use Enum.Parse and a cast in a LINQ query:

  var enumList = stringList
            .Select(x => (MyEnumType) Enum.Parse(typeof(MyEnumType), x))
            .ToList();
  

or

    var enumList = stringList.Select(x => Enum.Parse(typeof(MyEnumType), x))
                             .Cast<MyEnumType>()
                             .ToList();

• Use my Unconstrained Melody project:

  var enumList = stringList.Select(x => Enums.ParseName<MyEnumType>(x))
                           .ToList();