How Can I Associate Strings with Enumerations in C# for Improved Code Readability?

Improving C# Code Readability: Mapping Strings to Enumerations

While C# enums inherently use integer values, practical scenarios often require linking database string fields to meaningful enum representations. This article presents effective strategies for associating strings with enumerations, enhancing code clarity and maintainability.

One solution leverages class properties to mimic enum syntax. Consider a LogCategory class:

<code class="language-csharp">public class LogCategory
{
    private LogCategory(string value) { Value = value; }

    public string Value { get; private set; }

    // ... enumeration values

    public override string ToString() { return Value; }
}</code>

Alternatively, employ type-safe string parameters. For example:

<code class="language-csharp">public static void Write(string message, LogCategory logCategory)
{
    // ... logging logic using logCategory.Value
}</code>

This approach offers clean and efficient logging:

<code class="language-csharp">Logger.Write("This resembles enum usage.", LogCategory.Info);</code>

Utilizing class properties or type-safe strings effectively bridges the gap between string-based database data and strongly-typed enums. This method significantly improves code readability and simplifies database interaction.

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