Store enum names in database with Entity Framework

Question

public enum Currency
  {
     EUR = 1,
     USD = 2,
     GBP = 3
   }

Let's say I have an enum as shown above. If I were to use this using Entity Framework (code first) then the int values will be stored in the database. No lookup table is stored nor the string names of the enum values, which makes it difficult to read the database data directly.

Is there a way to get EF to create a lookup table for enums?

Answer 1

You may try something like this which is easier...

public enum Currency
{
    EUR = 1,
    USD = 2,
    GBP = 3
}

public class YourClassName
{
    [Column("Currency")]
    public string CurrencyString
    {
        get { return Currency.ToString(); }
        private set { Currency = EnumExtensions.ParseEnum<Currency>(value); }
    }

    [NotMapped]
    public Currency Currency;
}

public class EnumExtensions
{
    public static T ParseEnum<T>(string value)
    {
        return (T)Enum.Parse(typeof(T), value, true);
    }
}

source: example by Bryan Hogan

Answer 2

Yes there is. You'll have to add the table to your configuration, and then make sure to seed the values that you want into the table using reflection. Afterwards, just create the FK relation between the lookup table and any tables that you're using your enums on, and you should be set.

There's a good coding example of this in this post. That might help you get started.