C# Getting Enum values

Question

I have a enum containing the following (for example):

• UnitedKingdom,
• UnitedStates,
• France,
• Portugal

In my code I use

Answer 1

Just use the DescriptionAttribute

No need to create a dictionary if you only need to get a String representation for your enum values. See this example

[EDIT] Oh ... forgot to mention that it is more reusable than dictionaries, since you only need one common util class to help with getting the description and then all you need to do is add the DescriptionAttribute next time you add an enum value or you create a new enum with the same requirements. In the dictionary/switch solution, it is harder to maintain and it gets messy once you have many enum types.