Convert string to enum in Linq to SQL

Question

How to convert string to enum in Linq using C#?

Does the type casting below also work in linq?:

(Audience)Enum.Parse(typeof(Audience), value, true);

If yes, please tell me how I can use this?

Answer 1

Given the enum

enum Foo{A, B, C}

the code below performs conversion from enum to string and vice-versa:

var values = 
from name in Enum.GetNames(typeof(Foo))
select (Foo)Enum.Parse(typeof(Foo), name, true);

So, yes the casting works. However, keep in mind that the query above will throw an ArgumentException if Enum.Parse method receives a value that cannot be parsed.

This updated version only returns values that parse sucessfully

enum Foo{A, B, C}

var values =  
   from name in Enum.GetNames(typeof(Foo))
   where Enum.IsDefined(typeof(Foo), name)
   select (Foo)Enum.Parse(typeof(Foo), name, true);