A 'for' loop to iterate over an enum in Java

Question

I have an enum in Java for the cardinal & general directions:

public enum Direction {

   NORTH,

   NORTHEAST,

   EAST,

   SOUTHEAST,

   SOUTH,

   SOUTHWEST,

   WEST,

   NORTHWEST

}

How can I write a loop that iterates through each of these enum values?

Answer 1

Use values() on your enum:

Syntax:

for (Direction dir : Direction.values()) {

  // do your stuff

}