Question

I created an enum where I stored some table names. I want it to be used to get the name of the table like ds.Tables[BGuestInfo.TableName.L_GUEST_TYPE.ToString()].

public class a
{
      public enum TableName : byte
            {
                L_GUEST_TYPE = 0
                ,L_AGE_GROUP = 1
                ,M_COMPANY = 2
                ,L_COUNTRY = 3
                ,L_EYE_COLOR = 4
                ,L_GENDER = 5
                ,L_HAIR_COLOR = 6
                ,L_STATE_PROVINCE = 7
                ,L_STATUS = 8
                ,L_TITLE = 9
                ,M_TOWER = 10
                ,L_CITY = 11
                ,L_REGISTER_TYPE = 12
            }
}

class b 
{
    a.TableName x; //trying to restrict this 
    ds.Tables[a.TableName.L_GUEST_TYPE] //accessible and can be used like this
}

This is my enum. Now I have not created any instance of this enum so that no one can use it for other than read only purpose.

For this enum to be accessible in outer classes as well I have to make it public which means some outer class can create its object as well.

So what can i do so as to restrict its instance creation.

Answer 1

Enums are value types. You cannot create objects/instances from them.

By definition, enums are read only. You cannot modify defined enum values, only use them.

You can restrict visibility by using access modifiers – you can make the enum private to your class:

class b 
{
    private enum TableName : byte
    {
      L_GUEST_TYPE = 0
      ,L_AGE_GROUP = 1
      ,M_COMPANY = 2
      ,L_COUNTRY = 3
      ,L_EYE_COLOR = 4
      ,L_GENDER = 5
      ,L_HAIR_COLOR = 6
      ,L_STATE_PROVINCE = 7
      ,L_STATUS = 8
      ,L_TITLE = 9
      ,M_TOWER = 10
      ,L_CITY = 11
      ,L_REGISTER_TYPE = 12
    }

    public void myMethod(DataSet ds)
    {
      ds.Tables[TableName.L_GUEST_TYPE] //accessible and can be used like this
    }
}