How to Create Enum Class in Python: Simple Guide

In Python, you create an enum class by importing Enum from the enum module and defining a class that inherits from Enum. Inside the class, define members as class attributes with unique values.

Syntax

To create an enum class, import Enum from the enum module. Then define a class that inherits from Enum. Inside the class, list enum members as attributes with assigned values.

• Import: Bring in Enum from the enum module.
• Class definition: Create a class that inherits from Enum.
• Members: Define members as attributes with unique values.

python

from enum import Enum

class Color(Enum):
    RED = 1
    GREEN = 2
    BLUE = 3

Example

This example shows how to create an enum class Day with days of the week as members. It also demonstrates how to access enum members and their values.

python

from enum import Enum

class Day(Enum):
    MONDAY = 1
    TUESDAY = 2
    WEDNESDAY = 3
    THURSDAY = 4
    FRIDAY = 5
    SATURDAY = 6
    SUNDAY = 7

# Access enum member
print(Day.MONDAY)

# Access member name
print(Day.MONDAY.name)

# Access member value
print(Day.MONDAY.value)

Output

Day.MONDAY
MONDAY
1

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when creating enum classes include:

• Not inheriting from Enum, which means the class won't behave like an enum.
• Using duplicate values for different members, which can cause unexpected behavior.
• Trying to change enum members after creation, which is not allowed.

Here is an example of a wrong and right way:

python

from enum import Enum

# Wrong: No inheritance from Enum
class WrongColor:
    RED = 1
    GREEN = 2

# Right: Inherit from Enum
class RightColor(Enum):
    RED = 1
    GREEN = 2

Quick Reference

Concept	Description
Enum import	from enum import Enum
Define enum class	class Name(Enum):
Add members	MEMBER = value
Access member	EnumClass.MEMBER
Get name	EnumClass.MEMBER.name
Get value	EnumClass.MEMBER.value

Key Takeaways

Always inherit your class from Enum to create an enum class.

Define enum members as class attributes with unique values.

Access enum members using ClassName.MEMBER syntax.

Enum members are immutable and cannot be changed after creation.

Use the enum module from Python's standard library for enums.