[n8schatten]

http://java.dzone.co...erarchical-data

Quote

Java enums are typically used to hold array like data. This tip shows how to use enum for hierarchical structures.

I liked this article very much, since it shows (once again) that there is always a way of using something that you did not yet think of yourself. Inspired by this post I had fun developing this (admittedly not always useful) technique to avoid switch-statements: http://schneide.word...switch-use-enum.

[cfoley]

That's not really a good use for enums but it is good for classes. It's also a standard principle of object orientated programming. You define a method in an interface and then provide classes with different implementations. Then whenever you would have a lengthy if .. elif or switch, you just call the method on the object you have.

You can do this with enums, and occasionally you might want to, but the real reason for enums is in switch statements.

[v0rtex]

A rather interesting read, I was actually looking for a good article about this very subject, Thanks.