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How do you pass multiple enum values in C#?

Asked 2009-06-23T00:40:53.973
141

Sometimes when reading others' C# code I see a method that will accept multiple enum values in a single parameter. I always thought it was kind of neat, but never looked into it.

Well, now I think I may have a need for it, but don't know how to

  1. set up the method signature to accept this
  2. work with the values in the method
  3. define the enum

to achieve this sort of thing.

In my particular situation, I would like to use the System.DayOfWeek, which is defined as:

[Serializable]
[ComVisible(true)]
public enum DayOfWeek
{ 
    Sunday = 0,   
    Monday = 1,   
    Tuesday = 2,   
    Wednesday = 3,   
    Thursday = 4,   
    Friday = 5,    
    Saturday = 6
}

I want to be able to pass one or more of the DayOfWeek values to my method. Will I be able to use this particular enum as it is? How do I do the 3 things listed above?

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1 Answer

17

In my particular situation, I would like to use the System.DayOfWeek

You can not use the System.DayOfWeek as a [Flags] enumeration because you have no control over it. If you wish to have a method that accepts multiple DayOfWeek then you will have to use the params keyword

void SetDays(params DayOfWeek[] daysToSet)
{
    if (daysToSet == null || !daysToSet.Any())
        throw new ArgumentNullException("daysToSet");

    foreach (DayOfWeek day in daysToSet)
    {
        // if( day == DayOfWeek.Monday ) etc ....
    }
}

SetDays( DayOfWeek.Monday, DayOfWeek.Sunday );

Otherwise you can create your own [Flags] enumeration as outlined by numerous other responders and use bitwise comparisons.

answered 2009-06-23T02:11:49.700

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