How to create a constant static array of strings in c#?

Question

I'd like to offer a list of constants within my DLL.

Example usage:

MyDLL.AddHouse( HouseName, MyDll.HOUSETYPES.Big)
MyDLL.AddHouse( HouseName, MyDll.HOUSETYPES.Small)

Tried:

public static readonly string[] HOUSETYPES =
{
  "Big", "Small"
};

But that only gets me:

MyDLL.AddHouse( HouseName, MyDll.HOUSETYPES.ToString())

Any ideas? Thanks.

Any reason not to use an enum?

John Saunders
– John Saunders

2009-07-04 15:52:40 +00:00
Commented Jul 4, 2009 at 15:52 — John Saunders
– John Saunders, Commented Jul 4, 2009 at 15:52

Spence · Accepted Answer · 2009-07-04 15:59:20Z

5

Try using an enumeration. In C# this is the best option.

As the enumerations are strongly typed, instead of having an API that takes a string, your api will take a value of the type of your enumeration.

public enum HouseTypes
{
   Big,
   Small
}
MyDll.Function(HouseTypes Option)
{
}

You can then call this code via the enum

{
   MyDll.Function(HouseTypes.Big)
}

FYI as a coding style all caps in C# is reserved for constants only.

edited Jul 4, 2009 at 15:59

answered Jul 4, 2009 at 15:54

Spence

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2 Comments

SolutionYogi Over a year ago

I don't think all caps is recommended even for Constants.

csharpforevermore Over a year ago

Correct - the guidelines from Microsoft say that all capitals should never be used in C#. social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/csharpgeneral/thread/…

SolutionYogi · Accepted Answer · 2009-07-04 15:57:10Z

4

public static class HouseTypes
{
    public const string Big = "Big";
    public const string Small = "Small";
}

It is a good idea to follow .NET naming standards for naming your classes and variables. E.g. class will be called HouseTypes (Pascal Case) and not HOUSETYPES (Upper case).

answered Jul 4, 2009 at 15:57

SolutionYogi

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