Aprende Enum Syntax and Usage | Getting Started with Enums

Enums in Java are a special type that lets you define a fixed set of constants. You can declare enums either as standalone types or nested inside classes. Declaring an enum outside a class is similar to declaring a regular class or interface. For example, you might write public enum Day { ... } at the top level of a file. Enums can also be declared inside another class, either as a static or non-static type, depending on your needs.

When naming enums and their constants, follow these best practices:

Enum type names should use UpperCamelCase (e.g., TrafficLight, DayOfWeek);
Enum constant names should use ALL_UPPER_CASE_WITH_UNDERSCORES (e.g., RED, YELLOW, GREEN);
Enum types are typically declared as public if they need to be used outside their package, or with package-private visibility otherwise.

Enums provide a clear way to represent a group of related constants and make your code more robust, readable, and self-documenting. By using enums, you avoid "magic numbers" and string constants scattered throughout your code.

Main.java


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package com.example;

public class Main {

    public enum TrafficLight {
        RED, YELLOW, GREEN
    }

    public static void reactToLight(TrafficLight light) {
        switch (light) {
            case RED:
                System.out.println("Stop!");
                break;
            case YELLOW:
                System.out.println("Get ready...");
                break;
            case GREEN:
                System.out.println("Go!");
                break;
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        TrafficLight current = TrafficLight.RED;
        reactToLight(current);
    }
}

Using enums as method parameters lets you restrict input to a predefined set of values, making code both safer and easier to understand. For example, when you pass a TrafficLight enum to a method, you guarantee that only valid traffic light states are used, preventing invalid or unexpected values. This improves code readability because the method signature clearly communicates what kind of values are expected, and the compiler enforces this constraint, reducing bugs.

Main.java


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package com.example;

public class Main {

    public enum TrafficLight {
        RED, YELLOW, GREEN
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (TrafficLight light : TrafficLight.values()) {
            System.out.println(light);
        }
    }
}

¿Todo estuvo claro?

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Sección 1. Capítulo 2

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When naming enums and their constants, follow these best practices:

Enum type names should use UpperCamelCase (e.g., TrafficLight, DayOfWeek);
Enum constant names should use ALL_UPPER_CASE_WITH_UNDERSCORES (e.g., RED, YELLOW, GREEN);
Enum types are typically declared as public if they need to be used outside their package, or with package-private visibility otherwise.

Main.java


              123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
            
package com.example;

public class Main {

    public enum TrafficLight {
        RED, YELLOW, GREEN
    }

    public static void reactToLight(TrafficLight light) {
        switch (light) {
            case RED:
                System.out.println("Stop!");
                break;
            case YELLOW:
                System.out.println("Get ready...");
                break;
            case GREEN:
                System.out.println("Go!");
                break;
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        TrafficLight current = TrafficLight.RED;
        reactToLight(current);
    }
}

Main.java


              123456789101112131415
            
package com.example;

public class Main {

    public enum TrafficLight {
        RED, YELLOW, GREEN
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (TrafficLight light : TrafficLight.values()) {
            System.out.println(light);
        }
    }
}

¿Todo estuvo claro?

¡Gracias por tus comentarios!

Sección 1. Capítulo 2

Enum Syntax and Usage

1. What method allows you to iterate over all values of an enum?

2. Where can enums be declared in Java?

3. Which naming convention is recommended for enum constants?

Enum Syntax and Usage

1. What method allows you to iterate over all values of an enum?

2. Where can enums be declared in Java?

3. Which naming convention is recommended for enum constants?