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Groups > comp.lang.java.programmer > #2542

Enums: Properties vs. Methods

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All,

I am just musing about the pros and cons of using boolean properties
in enum classes vs. custom methods.  So far I found

pro Properties:
- less classes
- when adding enum values to an enum you cannot forget to define
properties

pro Methods:
- smaller memory footprint per instance

Considering that there are always only so many instances it seems the
properties approach wins.  It seems, custom methods in enum instances
are most useful if enums do actually do something.  Then different
enums can have differing implementations of the method and we have an
instance of Strategy / State pattern.

Do you have more items for the lists?  Did I overlook something?

Kind regards

robert

Example
  /** We use boolean properties. */
  public enum Prop {

    A(true, true), B(true, false), C(false, true);

    private final boolean a;

    private final boolean b;

    Prop(boolean a, boolean b) {
      this.a = a;
      this.b = b;
    }

    public boolean isA() {
      return a;
    }

    public boolean isB() {
      return b;
    }
  }

  /** We use custom methods. */
  public enum Meth {
    A, B {
      @Override
      public boolean isB() {
        return false;
      }
    },
    C {
      @Override
      public boolean isA() {
        return false;
      }
    };

    public boolean isA() {
      return true;
    }

    public boolean isB() {
      return true;
    }
  }

Full toy class https://gist.github.com/892503#file_prop_vs_meth.java

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Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-29 08:18 -0700
  Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-29 11:47 -0400
    Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-30 20:00 +0200
      Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <lew@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-30 13:17 -0700
        Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-31 00:48 -0700
          Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-31 08:41 -0400
            Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-31 08:26 -0700
              Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-31 22:16 -0400
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-04-02 11:56 +0200
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-04-02 10:29 -0400
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-04-03 13:14 +0200
  Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods markspace <-@.> - 2011-03-29 09:26 -0700
    Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-30 20:06 +0200
      Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods markspace <-@.> - 2011-03-30 12:40 -0700
        Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-31 00:38 -0700
  Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Daniele Futtorovic <da.futt.news@laposte-dot-net.invalid> - 2011-03-29 19:03 +0200
    Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Daniele Futtorovic <da.futt.news@laposte-dot-net.invalid> - 2011-03-29 19:04 +0200
  Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Roedy Green <see_website@mindprod.com.invalid> - 2011-03-29 12:49 -0700
  Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Roedy Green <see_website@mindprod.com.invalid> - 2011-03-29 12:52 -0700
    Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Daniele Futtorovic <da.futt.news@laposte-dot-net.invalid> - 2011-03-29 22:45 +0200
      Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-29 17:08 -0400
        Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Daniele Futtorovic <da.futt.news@laposte-dot-net.invalid> - 2011-03-29 23:25 +0200
          Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-29 19:05 -0400
            Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-29 19:40 -0400
              Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Robert Klemme <shortcutter@googlemail.com> - 2011-03-31 02:57 -0700
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-31 08:52 -0400
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-31 08:54 -0400
            Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Daniele Futtorovic <da.futt.news@laposte-dot-net.invalid> - 2011-03-30 18:40 +0200
              Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <lew@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-30 10:33 -0700
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Daniele Futtorovic <da.futt.news@laposte-dot-net.invalid> - 2011-03-30 20:43 +0200
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <lew@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-30 13:20 -0700
                Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-03-31 08:55 -0400
  Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Wanja Gayk <brixomatic@yahoo.com> - 2011-04-02 11:23 +0200
    Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Lew <noone@lewscanon.com> - 2011-04-02 10:36 -0400
      Re: Enums: Properties vs. Methods Wanja Gayk <brixomatic@yahoo.com> - 2011-04-02 21:20 +0200

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