How can I use enum in C# for storing string constants? [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Enum with strings

Is it possible to have string constants in enum like the following?

      enum{name1="hmmm" name2="bdidwe"} 

If it is not, what is the best way to do so?

I tried it, but it's not working for string so right now I am grouping all related constants in one class like

      class operation       {           public const string  name1="hmmm";           public const string  name2="bdidwe"       } 

Answer 1

Enum constants can only be of ordinal types (int by default), so you can't have string constants in enums.

When I want something like a "string-based enum" I create a class to hold the constants like you did, except I make it a static class to prevent both unwanted instantiation and unwanted subclassing.

But if you don't want to use string as the type in method signatures and you prefer a safer, more restrictive type (like Operation), you can use the safe enum pattern:

public sealed class Operation {     public static readonly Operation Name1 = new Operation("Name1");     public static readonly Operation Name2 = new Operation("Name2");      private Operation(string value)     {         Value = value;     }      public string Value { get; private set; } }