The Enum class in Java, part of the java.lang package, represents a group of named constants. It provides several methods that are useful for working with these constants. Enums are used to define a set of named values, making your code more readable and maintainable.
Java Enum Methods
The table below contains various methods of the Java Enum class, each with a link to a detailed explanation, examples, and real-world uses. Click on the method names to learn more about how to use them effectively in your applications.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| clone() | Throws CloneNotSupportedException because enums cannot be cloned. |
| compareTo() | Compares this enum with the specified object for order. |
| compareTo() (alternative) | Compares this enum with the specified object for order. |
| describeConstable() | Returns an Optional containing the nominal descriptor for this instance. |
| getDeclaringClass() | Returns the Class object corresponding to this enum constant’s enum type. |
| name() | Returns the name of this enum constant, exactly as declared in its enum declaration. |
| ordinal() | Returns the ordinal of this enumeration constant. |
| valueOf() | Returns the enum constant of the specified enum type with the specified name. |
The Enum class and its methods provide a structured way to work with a set of predefined constants, enhancing code readability and maintainability. Using enums in your Java applications can help you manage constant values more efficiently.
For more detailed information, please refer to the official Java SE Documentation.