In Enum, why I have to declare enum constants at first place, why not any method or variables?

Question

  package enum_movies;

   public enum Show_Day 
   {
        MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY;
   }

You might want to take a look at this thread http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18392885/java-definition-of-methods-and-variables-inside-enums-constant — Abhiroop Sarkar, Sep 24 '14 at 04:49
Do you mean, why do you need to declare the enum constants before defining any methods? — Ted Hopp, Sep 24 '14 at 05:01
my concern is only about, why constants has to be in first line!? why not any member at first line n later I will declare the constants? why the syntax is made like that? — Ajeet Deginal, Oct 13 '14 at 05:06

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 24 '14 at 04:49

1

Well, you don't have to. All the JLS requires is that there be an enum body with constants defined first, and it's legal for that body to only contain a semi-colon.

You could have an enum with all static methods in it like such...

public enum Baz {
    ;
    public static void evilLaugh() {
        System.out.println("BWAHAHA");
    }
}

...but what's the point of an enumeration if there are no values to enumerate over?

answered Sep 24 '14 at 04:49

Makoto

my concern is only about, why constants has to be in first line!? why not any member at first line n later I will declare the constants? why the syntax is made like that? – Ajeet Deginal Oct 13 '14 at 05:04
...Because the language specification said so. I believe I provided a link to the specific specification in my answer too... – Makoto Oct 13 '14 at 05:17

1 Answers1