The basics of enums

This lesson covers the basics of VB.NET's Enum, with the aim of handling a fixed set of options under readable names.

Enum ... End Enum defines an enumerated type representing a fixed set of options. Named options make the intent of the code far easier to read than bare numbers or strings.

The sample code defines three options — Red, Green, Blue — with Enum Color and assigns one to a variable as Color.Red. Note [Enum].GetNames(GetType(Color)), which lists every name in the enum.

A common early stumble is that an Enum is backed by integers underneath. It displays as a name, but consecutive integers starting at 0 are assigned internally — knowing that saves surprises.

In professional work, enums are used for fixed sets of options — order status (pending, processing, complete), days of the week, traffic light colours — and they raise readability considerably.