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Use Enums to restrict parameter values in Classes, ActiveX Controls and DLLs

Use Enums to restrict parameter values in Classes, ActiveX Controls and DLLs

By defining a Public Enum and using it as a parameter type to yourproperty or function, client applications are presented with a drop down list of values to use. Unfortunately, VB doesn’t restrict the client from passing something other than one of your enumerated values, since all Enums are Longs. However, you can use hidden Enum members to check the value of the parameter.

Public Enum My_Enum    [_MY_ENUM_LOWER] = 0    ENUM_VALUE_1    ENUM_VALUE_2    ' ...    [_MY_ENUM_UPPER]End EnumPrivate m_MyValue as My_EnumPublic Property Let MyValue(ByVal New_Value as My_Enum)    If New_Value = [_MY_ENUM_UPPER] Then        Err.Raise 5        'Invalid procédure call or argument, a standard VB error        '  you may want to add vbObjectError for DLLs    Else        m_MyValue = New_Value    EndIfEnd Property

By using an underscore in front of the Enum member, it is hidden from both the drop down list and the Object Browser (unless you select the Show Hidden Members option). The underscore as first character for identifiers is illegal in VB, so you have to enclose the name in square brackets.UPDATE: Scott B. Kardos had us notice that the hidden enums are still Public and binary compatability must be broken if ENUM_VALUE_3 is added. Since the hidden enums are only used for limit checking in the class, Scott recommends the following changes which allow for binary compatability:

Public Enum My_Enum    ENUM_VALUE_1    ENUM_VALUE_2    ENUM_VALUE_3    ' ...End EnumPrivate Enum My_Enum_Limits    MY_ENUM_LOWER = ENUM_VALUE_1    MY_ENUM_UPPER = ENUM_VALUE_3End EnumPrivate m_MyValue As My_EnumPublic Property Let MyValue(ByVal New_Value As My_Enum)    If New_Value  MY_ENUM_UPPER Then        Err.Raise 5        'Invalid procédure call or argument, a standard VB error        '  you may want to add vbObjectError for DLLs    Else        m_MyValue = New_Value    End IfEnd Property

Scott

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