How to Enumerate String in TypeScript

This article will discuss how string enum works in TypeScript with some examples. We would also learn about the advantages and disadvantages of string enum in TypeScript.

String Enum in TypeScript

This article will explore and discuss string enums in TypeScript. If you are new and unfamiliar with the JavaScript/TypeScript landscape, you might ponder what enums are.

The enums keyword offers us to define a finite set of values.

String enums are just like numeric enums. The enum values begin with string values rather than numeric values.

The advantage of using string enums is that string enums have better readability. If we debug a program, it is easier to read string values than numeric values.

There is an example of a numeric enum, but it is represented as a string enum.

Example: String Enum Copy

enum ItServices {
  WebApplication = "WEBAPPLICATION",
  GameDesign = "GAMEDESIGN",
  DesktopApp = "DESKTOP",
  MobileApp = "MOBILEAPP"
}

ItServices.WebApplication;

ItServices['GameDesign'];

The values as the numeric enum above have described a string enum and ItServices, with the identical values, with the difference that these enum values are initialized with string literals.

The difference between numeric and string enums is that numeric enum values are advanced, while string enum values need to be individually initialized.

Advantages of Using String Enum in TypeScript

The advantages of TypeScript for client-side developers are versatile. It is easier to pick up than other alternatives, as you can jump in with a JavaScript background.

TypeScript enums make the document easier to intend or create a distinct set of cases.

Disadvantages of Using String Enum in TypeScript

TypeScript’s enums are very convenient because there’s nothing like an enum yet in JavaScript, probably because a JavaScript object is very close to an enum. But if we are writing TypeScript code, the enum informs us about the read-only state.

However, the TypeScript enum must be transpired to an object at build time. The output will be a very verbose transpiled output for something that could be simply an object structure.

The developer must choose between a lighter output using an object or a better typing comfort using the enum type.