Interface a static method for Enum
enums, interface, java
Solution
If I understand correctly, you'll have a number of distinct enums that you want to integrate through the unique `fromString` method. What I have done is to make a separate class that accumulates all enum members into a single `static final Map` and the `fromString` method is implemented in terms of it.
All enums implement a common interface in my case because I have a number of custom methods that I need to call irrespective of the exact enum in question.
Problem
`Enum.valueOf()` cannot be hidden by another static method `valueOf` of a concrete `Enum` type, but since I am creating my objects with reflection from text files I need a generic way to invoke `valueOf`. Currently my `Enum` has a static class `fromString()`: ``` public enum Fruits { APPLE, ORANGE, ...; public static Fruit fromString(String fruit) { ... } } ``` But how could I interface such a method that when I am dealing with an enum field type I invoke the appropriate method? The only thing I can think of is: - using a marker interface - implement this static method for every enum - invoke the static method via reflection Is there another alternative which enforces this restriction?