Loop through enumeration

Question

What is best way to loop through an enumeration looking for a matching value?

string match = "A";

enum Sample { A, B, C, D }

foreach(...) {
  //should return Sample.A
}

Answer 1

public Sample matchStringToSample(string match)
{
    return (Sample)Enum.Parse(typeof(Sample), match);
}

You'd have to handle the case where the string match is not a valid enum value. Enum.Parse throws an ArgumentException in that case.

Answer 2

You're looking for Enum.Parse:

Sample e = (Sample)Enum.Parse(typeof(Sample), match);

You can loop through the values by calling Enum.GetValues or Enum.GetNames.

Answer 3

Enum.Parse(typeof(Sample), "A");

Answer 4

Use Enum.Parse

(Sample)Enum.Parse(typeof(Samples), "A"); //returns Sample.A