Question

I have a number of enums that each have the same fields and the same methods.

public enum AddressSubType {
    DOM("dom"), INTL("intl"), POSTAL("postal");

    private final String keyword;
    private AddressSubType(String keyword) {
        this.keyword = keyword;
    }
    public String getKeyword() {
        return keyword;
    }
    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return keyword;
    }
}

public enum EmailSubType {
    INTERNET("internet"), X400("x.400");

    private final String keyword;
    private EmailSubType(String keyword) {
        this.keyword = keyword;
    }
    public String getKeyword() {
        return keyword;
    }
    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return keyword;
    }
}

Is there a way for these enums to share the fields and methods (like a parent class)? I know that it’s not possible to extend enums. Thanks.

Answer 1

You could create a Value class

public class Value {

  private final String keyword;

  private Value(String keyword) {
    this.keyword = keyword;
  }
  public String getKeyword() {
    return keyword;
  }
  @Override
  public String toString() {
    return keyword;
  }
}

Then you can create Classes with public static final values like this :

public class AddressSubType extend Value {

  public static final AddressSubType DOM = new AddressSubType("DOM");
  public static final AddressSubType INTL = new AddressSubType("intl");
  ...

  private AddressSubType(String keyword) {
     super(keyword);
  }
}