Enum declaration and cases in Swift - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of enum with raw values

What is the output of this Swift code?

Swift

enum Direction: String {
    case north = "N"
    case south = "S"
    case east = "E"
    case west = "W"
}

let dir = Direction.east
print(dir.rawValue)

A "E"

B "east"

C Direction.east

D "East"

💡 Hint

Look at the rawValue property of the enum case.

The enum Direction has raw values of type String. The case east has raw value "E". Printing dir.rawValue outputs "E".

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Enum with associated values output

What will this Swift code print?

Swift

enum Result {
    case success(Int)
    case failure(String)
}

let res = Result.failure("Error")
switch res {
case .success(let code):
    print("Success with code \(code)")
case .failure(let message):
    print("Failed: \(message)")
}

A Failed: failure

B Failed: Error

C Success with code 0

D Success with code Error

💡 Hint

Check which case is assigned to res and what the associated value is.

The enum instance res is .failure with associated value "Error". The switch matches .failure and prints "Failed: Error".

🔧 Debug

advanced

Identify the error in enum declaration

Which option shows the error when compiling this enum declaration?

Swift

enum Color {
    case red
    case green
    case blue
    case yellow = 4
}

A Error: Missing comma between cases

B No error, compiles fine

C Error: Enum cases cannot have assigned integer values without raw type

D Error: Enum cases must be strings

💡 Hint

Check if enum has raw type when assigning values to cases.

In Swift, enum cases can only have assigned raw values if the enum declares a raw type. Here, Color has no raw type but yellow is assigned 4, causing a compile error.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Number of cases in enum

Given this enum, how many cases does it have?

Swift

enum Weekday {
    case monday, tuesday, wednesday
    case thursday
    case friday, saturday, sunday
}

A 7

B 5

C 6

D 3

💡 Hint

Count all the cases separated by commas and lines.

The enum Weekday has 7 cases: monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Output of enum with indirect recursive case

What does this Swift code print?

Swift

enum ArithmeticExpression {
    case number(Int)
    indirect case addition(ArithmeticExpression, ArithmeticExpression)
}

let five = ArithmeticExpression.number(5)
let four = ArithmeticExpression.number(4)
let sum = ArithmeticExpression.addition(five, four)

func evaluate(_ expr: ArithmeticExpression) -> Int {
    switch expr {
    case .number(let value):
        return value
    case .addition(let left, let right):
        return evaluate(left) + evaluate(right)
    }
}

print(evaluate(sum))

A 0

B 54

C Error: indirect case not allowed

D 9

💡 Hint

Think about how the recursive evaluation adds the numbers.

The enum uses indirect case to allow recursion. The evaluate function sums the numbers 5 and 4, resulting in 9.

Practice

1. What is the purpose of an enum in Swift?

easy

A. To group related values under one name

B. To create a function

C. To declare a variable

D. To write a loop

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what enums represent

   Enums group related values together to make code clearer and safer.

2. Step 2: Compare options with enum purpose

   Only To group related values under one name correctly describes grouping related values under one name.

3. Final Answer:

   To group related values under one name -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enum purpose = Group related values [OK]

Hint: Enums group related values clearly and safely [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing enums with functions
• Thinking enums declare variables
• Mixing enums with loops

2. Which of the following is the correct way to declare an enum named Direction with cases north, south, east, and west?

easy

A. enum Direction = { north, south, east, west }

B. enum Direction: north, south, east, west {}

C. enum Direction { case north, south, east, west }

D. enum Direction { north; south; east; west }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Swift enum syntax

   Enums use the keyword enum, followed by the name and curly braces containing case declarations separated by commas.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   enum Direction { case north, south, east, west } uses correct syntax: enum Direction { case north, south, east, west }. Others use invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   enum Direction { case north, south, east, west } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct enum syntax = enum Direction { case north, south, east, west } [OK]

Hint: Use 'case' keyword with comma-separated values inside braces [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using '=' instead of braces
• Omitting 'case' keyword
• Separating cases with semicolons

3. What will be the output of this Swift code?

enum Light {
    case red, yellow, green
}

let current = Light.red
switch current {
case .red:
    print("Stop")
case .yellow:
    print("Caution")
case .green:
    print("Go")
}

medium

A. No output

B. Go

C. Caution

D. Stop

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the enum case assigned

   The variable current is assigned Light.red.

2. Step 2: Match the switch case for current

   The switch matches .red and prints "Stop".

3. Final Answer:

   Stop -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Light.red triggers "Stop" output [OK]

Hint: Match enum case in switch to get output [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing enum cases with strings
• Forgetting dot prefix in switch
• Assuming default output

4. Identify the error in this enum declaration:

enum Weather {
    case sunny
    case rainy
    case windy
    case
}

medium

A. Missing case name after 'case' keyword

B. Enum name is invalid

C. Curly braces are missing

D. Enum cases should be strings

Solution

1. Step 1: Review each enum case line

   The last line has case without a case name, which is invalid syntax.

2. Step 2: Confirm other parts are correct

   Enum name and braces are correct; cases do not need to be strings.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing case name after 'case' keyword -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Every 'case' must have a name [OK]

Hint: Each 'case' must have a name after it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Leaving 'case' empty
• Thinking cases need quotes
• Missing braces around enum

5. You want to create an enum Planet with cases for mercury, venus, and earth. Then, write a function that returns a friendly message for each planet. Which code correctly implements this?

hard

A. enum Planet { mercury, venus, earth }
func message(planet: Planet) -> String {
if planet == mercury { return "Closest to the Sun" }
else if planet == venus { return "Second planet" }
else { return "Our home" }
}

B. enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth }
func message(for planet: Planet) -> String {
switch planet {
case .mercury: return "Closest to the Sun"
case .venus: return "Second planet"
case .earth: return "Our home"
}
}

C. enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth }
func message(planet: Planet) -> String {
if planet == mercury { return "Closest to the Sun" }
else if planet == venus { return "Second planet" }
else { return "Our home" }
}

D. enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth }
func message(for planet: Planet) -> String {
switch planet {
case mercury: return "Closest to the Sun"
case venus: return "Second planet"
case earth: return "Our home"
}
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Check enum declaration syntax

   Options A, C, and D declare enum correctly with case keyword; B misses it, so B is invalid.

2. Step 2: Check function parameter and switch usage

   enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth } func message(for planet: Planet) -> String { switch planet { case .mercury: return "Closest to the Sun" case .venus: return "Second planet" case .earth: return "Our home" } } uses switch with dot syntax for cases and correct function signature. enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth } func message(planet: Planet) -> String { if planet == mercury { return "Closest to the Sun" } else if planet == venus { return "Second planet" } else { return "Our home" } } uses if-else without dot syntax (.mercury), causing compile error. enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth } func message(for planet: Planet) -> String { switch planet { case mercury: return "Closest to the Sun" case venus: return "Second planet" case earth: return "Our home" } } misses dot prefix in switch cases, causing error.

3. Final Answer:

   enum Planet { case mercury, venus, earth } func message(for planet: Planet) -> String { switch planet { case .mercury: return "Closest to the Sun" case .venus: return "Second planet" case .earth: return "Our home" } } -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Enum with 'case' and switch with dot cases [OK]

Hint: Use 'case' keyword and dot prefix in switch cases [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting 'case' keyword in enum
• Missing dot prefix in switch cases
• Using if without dot prefix for enum cases