Enums

Define an enum

An enum lists a fixed set of allowed cases. It replaces loose strings with values the engine can check.

Type hints with the enum name reject every value outside the list.

enum Status { case Draft; case Published; }

Backed enums

A backed enum stores a string or int behind each case. This form fits database fields and JSON values.

Read the scalar with the value property and rebuild with the from method.

enum Role: string { case Admin = "admin"; case Guest = "guest"; }

Methods on enums

Enums can hold methods like classes do. Use them to place labels and checks next to the cases.

Inside a method, $this points to the current case and gives access to its value.

enum Role: string { case Admin = "admin"; case Guest = "guest"; public function label(): string { return "Role " . $this->value; } }

Match on enums

Expression match pairs well with enums because it checks all cases in one place.

Each arm names one case and returns a value without long chains of conditions.

enum Status { case Draft; case Published; } function describe(Status $s): string { return match ($s) { Status::Draft => "Not ready", Status::Published => "Live", }; }

Next: Magic methods

Article author: Arthur Isaev