Unlock the Power of Java Enums: A Deep Dive into Constructors
Getting Started with Java Enums
Before we explore the world of enum constructors, it’s essential to have a solid grasp of Java enums. In Java, an enum class is a special type of class that can include a constructor, just like a regular class. This constructor can be either private or package-private, controlling access to the enum.
The Anatomy of an Enum Constructor
An enum constructor is a special type of constructor that is used to initialize enum constants. It’s either private, accessible only within the class, or package-private, accessible within the package. Let’s take a closer look at an example to illustrate this concept.
A Practical Example: The Size Enum
Imagine we’re creating an enum called Size to represent different pizza sizes. Our enum includes a private constructor that takes a string value as a parameter and assigns it to the pizzaSize variable.
“`
enum Size {
SMALL(“Small”),
MEDIUM(“Medium”),
LARGE(“Large”);
private String pizzaSize;
private Size(String pizzaSize) {
this.pizzaSize = pizzaSize;
}
public String getSize() {
return pizzaSize;
}
}
“`
How it Works
In our Main class, we assign the SMALL enum constant to an enum variable size. The SMALL constant then calls the Size constructor with the string “Small” as an argument. Finally, we call the getSize() method using the size variable, which returns the value “Small”.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve got a solid understanding of enum constructors, take your skills to the next level by exploring other advanced Java enum topics, such as EnumSet and enum inheritance and interface implementation.