[Feature] EnumToStringConverter

[jaigak]

Describe the problem this feature would solve

Many apps use enums for storing options and today there isn't a straightforward way to show them on the UI using XAML without writing a custom converter.

Describe the solution

Provide a new EnumToStringConverter which uses reflection to convert an enum value to its string representation and vice versa.

Describe alternatives you've considered

None

Hello, 'Jaiganeshkumaran! Thanks for submitting a new feature request. I've automatically added a vote 👍 reaction to help get things started. Other community members can vote to help us prioritize this feature in the future!

[Kyaa-dost]

Thanks, @Jaiganeshkumaran for the request! Opening this for discussion with the community to receive further input regarding this proposal.

[robloo]

A few comments:

1. This is extremely simple to implement using Enum.GetValues(typeof(<enum>)) and (<enum>)Enum.Parse(typeof(<enum>), str, true) which already likely use reflection internally.
2. The reason why this isn't done automatically is due to localization and 'multiple word' enums. You shouldn't display to the user AutoColor and should instead show "Automatic Color" and for Spanish "Color automático".

This means:

1. A generic "EnumToStringConverter" isn't possible as it would actually have to look up values in localizaed resources.
2. Generally, this is poor coding practice. Instead, you should actually be making a custom class to contain both the enum value and the localized text representation of the enum values. Assign the list of custom classes to a ComboBox and then use SelectedValue, SelectedValuePath separate from SelectedItem. Alternatively, I just create a ComboBoxItem directly with the localized text content and then just set the Tag to the enum value. This isn't MVVM friendly like the first option though.

[michael-hawker]

@Jaiganeshkumaran we have the EnumValuesExtension already, isn't this what you're talking about for your scenario?

FYI @Sergio0694

[jaigak]

@Jaiganeshkumaran we have the EnumValuesExtension already, isn't this what you're talking about for your scenario?

FYI @Sergio0694

But it isn't a XAML converter

[jaigak]

A few comments:

1. This is extremely simple to implement using Enum.GetValues(typeof(<enum>)) and (<enum>)Enum.Parse(typeof(<enum>), str, true) which already likely use reflection internally.
2. The reason why this isn't done automatically is due to localization and 'multiple word' enums. You shouldn't display to the user AutoColor and should instead show "Automatic Color" and for Spanish "Color automático".

This means:

1. A generic "EnumToStringConverter" isn't possible as it would actually have to look up values in localizaed resources.
2. Generally, this is poor coding practice. Instead, you should actually be making a custom class to contain both the enum value and the localized text representation of the enum values. Assign the list of custom classes to a ComboBox and then use SelectedValue, SelectedValuePath separate from SelectedItem. Alternatively, I just create a ComboBoxItem directly with the localized text content and then just set the Tag to the enum value. This isn't MVVM friendly like the first option though.

In certain enumerations, localization doesn't matter. Eg: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.security.cryptography.binarystringencoding?view=winrt-19041

[Sergio0694]

Not sure I understand why a converter is necessary here 🤔
As @robloo said, if you need to localize the enum you're going to need some specialized solution anyway.
If you're fine with the raw enum value instead, then I reckon you can just do {x:Bind TheValue.ToString()}, with no converter?

We should try to avoid using IValueConverter-s as much as possible going forwards.
They're clunky, verbose, slow, error prone and not type safe. If we can replace them with x:Bind, we should 😄

[jaigak]

Not sure I understand why a converter is necessary here 🤔
As @robloo said, if you need to localize the enum you're going to need some specialized solution anyway.
If you're fine with the raw enum value instead, then I reckon you can just do {x:Bind TheValue.ToString()}, with no converter?

Will that work in TwoWay mode?