Question

Is it possible to have one enumeration constant extend another one (from the same enumeration)?

Pseudo-code:

private enum Mode{
  FRIGHTENED, BLINKING extends FRIGHTENED, SCATTER
}

This way, one could use the enum-constants in a switch-block like this:

switch (some_mode){
  case FRIGHTENED:
    // This would trigger when the actual "some_mode" is set
    //  to FRIGHTENED or BLINKING
    break;
  case BLINKING:
    // This would only trigger if the actual "some_mode" is set to BLINKING
}

Is there any pattern which would allow me to do this, or am I just completely out of my mind?

---

I might have to be a little more clear about the shown use-case in a switch-statement: I plan to not check for all possible values, but only for the “parent” one.

if (some_mode == Mode.FRIGHTENED){
  // The behavior in FRIGHTENED and BLINKING mode is the same. The only
  //  difference is the way they are visualized.
}

Answer 1

There’s a tortured way to simulated this, but no, it’s not possible for one enumeration constant to extend another.