Questions about Enums in Java

Question

How can I say something like:

 System.out.println(Enum.ATESTSTRING + " is a test string!");

and not:

 System.out.println(Enum.ATESTSTRING.getString() + " is a test string!");

Thanks!

Answer 1

Override toString() method in your enum :

enum MyEnum {
    ATESTSTRING("A test String");

    private final String value;

    MyEnum(String value) { this.value = value; }

    @Override
    public String toString() {return value; }
}

Answer 2

Enum.ATESTSTRING.toString() or Enum.ATESTSTRING.name() (if you want to use your toString() for something else).

The name() method belongs to the Enum class , so all enum values automatically have this method available.

Answer 3

By default Enum#toString will return its name. You should be able to just do your first expression. The String concatenation (+ operator) will call toString automatically.

enum TestEnum {
    ATESTSTRING;

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(ATESTSTRING + " is a test string");
    }
}

Will output ATESTSTRING is a test string .