Get enums by index, get index of an enum value in an enum

I like using enums for simple selections. I feel it makes my code clean. Over time you may feel that parts of your program have “outgrown” enums and you may need to switch to classes to handle extra logic. You can, but with attributes, you do not have to. If a parameter must be one of a few choices, even if it’s nullable, then use an enum.

I’m writing an iPhone app using Monotouch where I am displaying enum options to be picked from a list. The functions I am listing below help greatly in dealing with indices on enums.

 

public static TEnum GetEnumByIndex(int index)
{
var etype = typeof(TEnum);
if (!etype.IsEnum)
throw new ArgumentException(“‘TEnum’ must be of an enum type.”);
var enums = Enum.GetValues(typeof(TEnum));
if (index > enums.Length)
throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(“index”);
TEnum option = (TEnum)enums.GetValue(index);
return option;
}

public static int? GetIndexOfEnumValue(TEnum value)
{
var etype = typeof(TEnum);
if (!etype.IsEnum)
throw new ArgumentException(“‘TEnum’ must be of an enum type.”);
var enums = Enum.GetValues(typeof(TEnum));
int i = 0;
foreach (object e in enums)
{
if (((TEnum)e).Equals(value))
return i;
i++;
}
return null;
}

In other news, my daughter is doing really well with her chemo treatments. Hopefully she will be cancer free in a few years! See my wife’s page detailing my daughter’s battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

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