Enum backed values in PHP

Introduction

Enums with backed values let you give each option a fixed value like a number or string. This helps when you want to connect names to real data.

When you want to represent fixed choices with specific values, like days of the week with numbers.

When you need to store or send enum values as strings or numbers in a database or API.

When you want to compare enum options by their values easily.

When you want to print or log meaningful values instead of just names.

When you want to convert values back to enum options safely.

Syntax

PHP

enum Name: type {
    case OPTION1 = value1;
    case OPTION2 = value2;
    // ...
}

The type can be int or string.

Each case must have a unique value of the specified type.

Examples

This enum uses strings as values to represent different statuses.

PHP

enum Status: string {
    case Pending = 'pending';
    case Approved = 'approved';
    case Rejected = 'rejected';
}

This enum uses integers as values to represent directions.

PHP

enum Direction: int {
    case Up = 1;
    case Down = 2;
    case Left = 3;
    case Right = 4;
}

Sample Program

This program defines a backed enum for days with numbers. It prints the value for Monday and Friday, then converts the number 3 back to the enum and prints its name.

PHP

<?php

enum DayOfWeek: int {
    case Monday = 1;
    case Tuesday = 2;
    case Wednesday = 3;
    case Thursday = 4;
    case Friday = 5;
    case Saturday = 6;
    case Sunday = 7;
}

function printDayValue(DayOfWeek $day): void {
    echo "The value of {$day->name} is {$day->value}.\n";
}

printDayValue(DayOfWeek::Monday);
printDayValue(DayOfWeek::Friday);

// Convert value back to enum
$day = DayOfWeek::from(3);
echo "Day with value 3 is {$day->name}.\n";

Important Notes

You can use ::from(value) to get the enum case from a value. It throws an error if the value is invalid.

You can also use ::tryFrom(value) which returns null if the value is invalid.

Summary

Enum backed values link enum cases to fixed strings or numbers.

This helps when you want to store, compare, or display enum data easily.

Use from() or tryFrom() to convert values back to enum cases.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of using backed enums in PHP?

easy

A. To allow enums to inherit from classes

B. To link enum cases to fixed strings or numbers

C. To enable enums to have methods

D. To make enums mutable

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand enum backed values

   Backed enums associate each enum case with a fixed string or integer value.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose

   This linking helps in storing, comparing, or displaying enum data easily.

3. Final Answer:

   To link enum cases to fixed strings or numbers -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Backed enums link cases to values = A [OK]

Hint: Backed enums always connect cases to fixed values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking enums can inherit classes
• Confusing backed enums with mutable enums
• Assuming enums cannot have methods

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to declare a backed enum with string values in PHP?

enum Status: string {
    case ACTIVE = 'active';
    case INACTIVE = 'inactive';
}

easy

A. enum Status: string { case ACTIVE = 'active'; case INACTIVE = 'inactive'; }

B. enum Status { case ACTIVE = 'active'; case INACTIVE = 'inactive'; }

C. enum Status: int { case ACTIVE = 'active'; case INACTIVE = 'inactive'; }

D. enum Status: string { ACTIVE = 'active'; INACTIVE = 'inactive'; }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check enum declaration syntax

   Backed enums require specifying the type after the enum name, e.g., : string.

2. Step 2: Verify case declarations

   Each case must use the case keyword and assign a value with =.

3. Final Answer:

   enum Status: string { case ACTIVE = 'active'; case INACTIVE = 'inactive'; } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Backed enum syntax with type and cases = B [OK]

Hint: Backed enums need type after enum name and case keyword [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting the type after enum name
• Not using 'case' keyword before cases
• Using wrong type like int for string values

3.

What will be the output of the following PHP code?

enum Color: int {
    case RED = 1;
    case GREEN = 2;
    case BLUE = 3;
}

echo Color::from(2)->name;

medium

A. Color::GREEN

B. 2

C. GREEN

D. Error: No case for value 2

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Color::from(2)

   The from() method returns the enum case matching the value 2, which is GREEN.

2. Step 2: Access the name property

   Using ->name returns the case name as a string, here "GREEN".

3. Final Answer:

   GREEN -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   from(2) returns GREEN name = GREEN [OK]

Hint: from(value) returns enum case; ->name gives case name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Printing the value instead of the name
• Confusing from() with tryFrom()
• Expecting full enum class name output

4.

Identify the error in the following PHP enum backed values code:

enum Status: string {
    case PENDING = 'pending';
    case COMPLETED = 'completed';
}

$status = Status::from('done');

medium

A. No error, code runs fine

B. Compile error: Enum must use int type

C. Syntax error: Missing semicolon after enum cases

D. Runtime error: Value 'done' not found in enum cases

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the from() method usage

   The from() method throws an error if the value does not match any enum case.

2. Step 2: Analyze the value 'done'

   Since 'done' is not a defined case value, a runtime error occurs.

3. Final Answer:

   Runtime error: Value 'done' not found in enum cases -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   from() with invalid value causes runtime error = D [OK]

Hint: from() fails if value not in enum cases [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming from() returns null on failure
• Thinking syntax error due to semicolons
• Believing enum must be int type only

5.

Given the following enum, which code snippet correctly converts a string value to an enum case safely without throwing an error?

enum Direction: string {
    case NORTH = 'north';
    case SOUTH = 'south';
    case EAST = 'east';
    case WEST = 'west';
}

Choose the correct usage:

hard

A. $dir = Direction::tryFrom('east');

B. $dir = Direction::from('southwest');

C. $dir = Direction::from('up');

D. $dir = Direction::tryFrom('down');

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand from() vs tryFrom()

   from() throws error if value not found; tryFrom() returns null instead.

2. Step 2: Check each option's value

   Only tryFrom('east') matches a valid case and safely returns the enum case.

3. Final Answer:

   $dir = Direction::tryFrom('east'); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   tryFrom() safely converts valid value = C [OK]

Hint: Use tryFrom() to avoid errors on invalid values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using from() with invalid values causing errors
• Expecting tryFrom() to throw errors
• Confusing enum case names with values