C# Enum.Parse Generics

Question

I have regularly wondered why C# has not yet implemeted a Generic Enum.Parse

Lets say I have

enum MyEnum
{
   Value1,
   Value2
}

And from an XML file/DB entry I wish to to create an Enum.

MyEnum val = (MyEnum)Enum.Parse(typeof(MyEnum), "value1", true);

Could it not have been implemented as something like

MyEnum cal = Enum.Parse<MyEnum>("value1");

This might seem like a small issue, but it seems like an overlooked one.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

It is already implemented in .NET 4 ;) Take a look here. Also the discussion here contains some interesting points.

Answer 2

Although constraining to System.Enum isn't allowed by C#, it is allowed in .NET and C# can use types or methods with such constraints. See Jon Skeet's Unconstrained Melody library, which includes code that does exactly what you want.