Using enum

enum allows us to group values with more intuitive names. Some people prefer to call the enumerated list and some other names. Let's look at an example, so as to make it easier to understand how this works in practice:

1. Create a file called enum.js in the chapter-02 folder, and add the following code:

enum bands {
    Motorhead,
    Metallica,
    Slayer
}
console.log(bands);

2. In your Terminal, type the following command to transpile the file:

tsc enum.ts

3. Now, let's execute the file. Type the following command:

node enum.js

You will see the following result in the Terminal:

{ '0': 'Motorhead',
   '1': 'Metallica',
   '2': 'Slayer',
   Motorhead: 0,
   Metallica: 1,
   Slayer: 2 }

We can now get the value by using the name instead of the position.

4. Add the following lines of code, right after the console.log() function:

let myFavoriteBand = bands.Slayer;
console.log(myFavoriteBand);

Now, execute the commands in steps 2 and step 3 to check the results. You will see the following output in the Terminal:

{ '0': 'Motorhead',
   '1': 'Metallica',
   '2': 'Slayer',
   Motorhead: 0,
   Metallica: 1,
   Slayer: 2 }
 My Favorite band is:  Slayer

Note that all of the values (band names) declared in the band object are converted into strings, inside an indexed object, as you can see in the preceding example.