In C# it is possible to do something like this (Although I'm sure I have the syntax and name of the text output function wrong):

enum Shape {Circle, Square};
Shape myShape = Circle;
writeln(myShape.ToString()); // Or whatever C#'s printf-queivilent is (I forget)

That would display the text "Circle". Is this possible in D? If not, is it something what would require reflection?

AFAIK, it's not currently supported. I think it's something that would be nice to have, but I suspect this is a D 2.x feature, if ever.


"Nick Sabalausky" <a@a.a> wrote in message news:cvof4j$1te2$1@digitaldaemon.com...
> In C# it is possible to do something like this (Although I'm sure I have the syntax and name of the text output function wrong):
>
> enum Shape {Circle, Square};
> Shape myShape = Circle;
> writeln(myShape.ToString()); // Or whatever C#'s printf-queivilent is
> (I forget)
>
> That would display the text "Circle". Is this possible in D? If not, is it something what would require reflection?

"Nick Sabalausky" <a@a.a> wrote in message news:cvof4j$1te2$1@digitaldaemon.com...
> enum Shape {Circle, Square};
> Shape myShape = Circle;
> writeln(myShape.ToString());

This is something I've wanted for a long time, too.  Enums are nice to self-document a program but also get speed by using simple, small ints. However, when it comes time to debug, it is a pain and error-pront to have to create a ShapeToString(Shape) function for each enum.

Likewise, it would be nice to read them in:

Shape myShape.FromString( "Circle" );

Then a config file could use the actual enum name and save us from writing the common StringToShape(String) function as well.