generic_enum 0.2.0

Enumeration classes with generic value type. Can be used in switch statements, as annotations, or as constant parameters in constructors and functions.

Generic Enumeration Classes for Dart

Introduction

Enumerations are ideal when we want to model choosing from a limited set of constant values. In Dart, the value of an enum resolves to a String.

GenericEnum is a base class for creating enumeration classes with generic value type. These classes appear to the user of the library much like a Dart enum would. For example, generic enums can be used in switch statements, to initialize variables, or as default parameters in functions and constructors.

Building a Generic Enum

To use this library include generic_enum and generic_enum_annotation as dependencies in your pubspec.yaml file. Include generic_enum_builder, source_gen, and build_runner as dev_dependencies.

To build the generic enum class, DpiResolution (shown below), the following steps are required:

Click to show source coder.

 import 'package:generic_enum/generic_enum.dart';
 import 'package:generic_enum_annotation/generic_enum_annotation.dart';
 //   1. Add a part statement pointing to the generated file.
 part 'dpi_resolution.g.dart';
 //   2. Annotate with @GenerateFromJson()
 //   3. Extend GenericEnum<T>
 @GenerateFromJson()
 class DpiResolution extends GenericEnum<int> {
   // 4. Define a private const constructor that calls the super constructor
   //    and passes on the value of type int.
   const DpiResolution._(int value) : super(value);
   // 5. Define static constant instances of type DpiResolution
   static const DpiResolution LOW = DpiResolution._(90);
   static const DpiResolution MEDIUM = DpiResolution._(300);
   static const DpiResolution HIGH = DpiResolution._(600);
   // 6. Give access to _valueMap and
   static Map<int, DpiResolution> get valueMap => _$DpiResolutionValueMap;
   // 7. Define the named factory constructor .fromJson:
   factory DpiResolution.fromJson(Map<String,dynamic> json)
       => _$DpiResolutionFromJson(json);
 }

1. Add a part statement referencing the generated file dpi_resolution.g.dart.

2. Annotate the class with @GenerateFromJson.

3. Extend GenericEnum<T>. To use the serialization methods, the type parameter T should have fromJson and toJson methods.

4. Define a private const constructor that calls the super constructor and passes on the value of type T.

5. Define the static const instances of DpiResolution. You may capitalize instance names to mark them as constants.

6. Define an accessor for the private variable _$<ClassName>ValueMap.

7. Define a factory constructor named .fromJson pointing to the function _$<ClassName>FromJson.

8. Configure the build targets (and amend the generate_for entry). In your local build.yaml file add configurations for the builders map_builder and json_builder provided by the package generic_enum_builder.

   Click to show file.

     targets:
       $default:
         builders:
           # Configure the builder `pkg_name|builder_name`
           generic_enum_builder|map_builder:
             # Only run this builder on the specified input.
             enabled: true
             generate_for:
               - lib/*.dart
           # Configure the builder `pkg_name|builder_name`
           generic_enum_builder|json_builder:
             # Only run this builder on the specified input.
             enabled: true
             generate_for:
               - lib/*.dart
   

   Note: The file dpi_resolution.dart should be an asset that can be resolved by the builder. To limit the number of files scanned for annotationed classes during the build process one can use a generate_for statement in the builder configuration.

9. Build the project by running the command:

   $ pub run build_runner build --delete-conflicting-outputs
   

10. For the example presented here, the build process will generate the file dpi_resolution.g.dart.

    Click to show file.

    // GENERATED CODE - DO NOT MODIFY BY HAND
    
    part of 'dpi_resolution.dart';
    
    // **************************************************************************
    // JsonGenerator
    // **************************************************************************
    
    /// Converts a map [Map<String, dynamic>] to an instance of [DpiResolution].
    /// Add the following factory constructor to your class definition:
    /// ```
    /// factory DpiResolution.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) =>
    ///   _$DpiResolutionFromJson(json);
    /// ```
    DpiResolution _$DpiResolutionFromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) {
      int value = GenericEnum.fromJson(json).value;
      DpiResolution instance = _$DpiResolutionValueMap[value];
      if (instance == null) {
        throw GenericEnumException(
          'Could not find DpiResolution instance with value: $value.',
        );
      }
      return instance;
    }
    
    // **************************************************************************
    // MapGenerator
    // **************************************************************************
    
    /// Maps a value of type [int] to an instance of [DpiResolution].
    /// Add the following getter to your class definition:
    /// ```
    /// static Map<int,DpiResolution> get valueMap => _$DpiResolutionValueMap;
    /// ```
    final _$DpiResolutionValueMap = Map<int, DpiResolution>.unmodifiable({
      DpiResolution.LOW.value: DpiResolution.LOW,
      DpiResolution.MEDIUM.value: DpiResolution.MEDIUM,
      DpiResolution.HIGH.value: DpiResolution.HIGH,
    });
    

Usage

GenericEnum instances and their value are compile-time constants and can be used in switch statements to initalize other constants, final variables, or as parameters or default parameters in constructors and functions.

The sample class ScannerSettings (defined below) illustrates the use of a generic enum.

The value of generic enums can be accessed directly using dot notation (like in the initializer statement below).

class ScannerSettings{

  const ScannerSettings({
    this.scanMode,
    this.size,
    this.dpiResolution = DpiResolution.Medium,
    },
  ):_dipRes = dpiResolution.value; // Access value using dot-notation.

  final DpiResolution dpiResolution;
  final int _dpiRes;
  final ScanMode;
  final ScanSize;
}

Examples

Further examples on how to define and build generic enumeration classes can be found in the package generic_enum_example.

For details of how to use generic enums as annotations and how to retrieve their value using Dart's static analyzer package see example.

Features and bugs

Please file feature requests and bugs at the issue tracker.