I want to add another solution: In my case, I need to use a Enum group in a drop down button list items. So they might have space, i.e. more user friendly descriptions needed:
public enum CancelReasonsEnum
{
[Description("In rush")]
InRush,
[Description("Need more coffee")]
NeedMoreCoffee,
[Description("Call me back in 5 minutes!")]
In5Minutes
}
In a helper class (HelperMethods) I created the following method:
public static List<string> GetListOfDescription<T>() where T : struct
{
Type t = typeof(T);
return !t.IsEnum ? null : Enum.GetValues(t).Cast<Enum>().Select(x => x.GetDescription()).ToList();
}
When you call this helper you will get the list of item descriptions.
List<string> items = HelperMethods.GetListOfDescription<CancelReasonEnum>();
ADDITION: In any case, if you want to implement this method you need :GetDescription extension for enum. This is what I use.
public static string GetDescription(this Enum value)
{
Type type = value.GetType();
string name = Enum.GetName(type, value);
if (name != null)
{
FieldInfo field = type.GetField(name);
if (field != null)
{
DescriptionAttribute attr =Attribute.GetCustomAttribute(field,typeof(DescriptionAttribute)) as DescriptionAttribute;
if (attr != null)
{
return attr.Description;
}
}
}
return null;
/* how to use
MyEnum x = MyEnum.NeedMoreCoffee;
string description = x.GetDescription();
*/
}