Convert Enum to List<> using C# or VB.NET

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A user recently asked me how to convert an Enum to a List<>. Here’s the code to do so:

C#

class Program
{
    enum Days { Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri };

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        Array arr = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Days));
        List<string> lstDays = new List<string>(arr.Length);
        for (int i = 0; i < arr.Length; i++)
        {
            lstDays.Add(arr.GetValue(i).ToString());
        }
    }
}

VB.NET

Friend Class Program
    Private Enum Days
        Sat
        Sun
        Mon
        Tue
        Wed
        Thu
        Fri
    End Enum

    Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
        Dim arr As Array = System.Enum.GetValues(GetType(Days))
        Dim lstDays As New List(Of String)(arr.Length)
        For i As Integer = 0 To arr.Length - 1
            lstDays.Add(arr.GetValue(i).ToString())
        Next i
    End Sub
End Class

Additionally you can also add a check to evaluate if arr.GetValue(i) is not null before adding it to the List<>

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About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, Developer Technologies MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) is the founder and contributor for DevCurry, DotNetCurry and SQLServerCurry. He is the Chief Editor of a Developer Magazine called DNC Magazine. He has also authored two Books - 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls. and The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

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