C#•4y ago

What is the difference between a dictionary and enum in C-Sharp? [Answered]

So I have the following enum

public enum FoodVariants 
{
BananaCake = 29_000,
PassionFruitCheeseCake = 29_000,
CoffeeCheeseCake = 29_000,
TiramisuCake = 35_000,
PeachMousse = 35_000,
CocoaMousse = 35_000
}

public enum FoodVariants 
{
BananaCake = 29_000,
PassionFruitCheeseCake = 29_000,
CoffeeCheeseCake = 29_000,
TiramisuCake = 35_000,
PeachMousse = 35_000,
CocoaMousse = 35_000
}

public enum FoodVariants 
{
BananaCake = 29_000,
PassionFruitCheeseCake = 29_000,
CoffeeCheeseCake = 29_000,
TiramisuCake = 35_000,
PeachMousse = 35_000,
CocoaMousse = 35_000
}

public enum FoodVariants 
{
BananaCake = 29_000,
PassionFruitCheeseCake = 29_000,
CoffeeCheeseCake = 29_000,
TiramisuCake = 35_000,
PeachMousse = 35_000,
CocoaMousse = 35_000
}

But I'm not sure if an enum is an appropriate type for this because I want to use a switch case statement with the enum based on the string input the program receives from console

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:18 AM

I'm thinking of turning this enum into Dictionary<string, int>Dictionary<string, int>

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:19 AM

Because unlike enum, I'm thinking of referencing directly using the user input as a string, completely eliminating the use of switch cases

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:19 AM

Making the program a lot more efficient

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:34 AM

@implicit electronFor what I am trying to achieve, which one would be the appropriate type I should be using?

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:34 AM

If dictionaries can even be considered as "types"

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:37 AM

I have no idea what the hell that means

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:37 AM

but I'll just use dictionaries then

Original message was deleted

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:38 AM

Oh wait seriously?

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:38 AM

Does the string have to match the enum case by case?

BBobby Bob So I have the following enum ```csharp public enum FoodVariants { BananaCake = ...

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:39 AM

For example FoodVariants.BananaCakeFoodVariants.BananaCake. Does the string input have to match it exactly case by case? Would it work if FoodVariants.TryParse("bananacake") work instead?

Original message was deleted

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:39 AM

If there exists a tryparse() method to parse strings. Then how is it different to a key-value data structure such as a dictionary?

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:42 AM

Alright I'll just use a dictionary thank you

Bobby BobOP•10/14/22, 2:51 AM

@implicit electron Is there a way to add a list of key-value pair to a dictionary without having to manually add each one via .Add().Add()