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

Whenever I see an enum I feel that the code should be refactored. Why not make a Country class and add methods to do some of the obstacles you are trying to get around. Assigning values to an enum is an even bigger code smell.

Why the downvotes? I think it is pretty widely accepted that using a polymorphic approach is better than using an enum. There is zero reason to use an enum when you can use the ValueObject design instead.

Here is a good blog post on the topic: http://devpinoy.org/blogs/cruizer/archive/2007/09/12/enums-are-evil.aspx