How do I convert a string to an enum value to an integer? [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
How do I Convert a string to an enum in C#?
Enums returning int value

I have declare an enumeration:-

public enum Car
        {
            SELECT = 0,
            AUDI = 1,
            NISSAN = 2,
            HONDA = 3,
            LINCOLN = 4
        } 

Now I need the int value of enum where it matches:-

private int GetCarType(string CarName)
        {
            foreach(var item in Enum.GetNames(typeof(Car))
            {
                if (item.ToLower().Equals(CarName.ToLower()))
                    //return int value of Enum of matched item; ???????
            }

Result expected:-

int i = GetCarType(CarName); //suppose CarName is AUDI, it should return 1;
Console.write(i);

Result :- 1

How will I get value of enum? And better coding practice.

Answer 1

If you are converting a string to an enum, you should use Enum.Parse rather than iterating over the names.

Then just cast to an integer:

var iAsInteger = (Int32)i;

Answer 2

var result = (int)System.Enum.Parse(typeof(Car), carName)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/essfb559.aspx

This replaces your GetCarType function. You no longer have to iterate over the enum names.