· 1 min read

Swift enum all values


In this quick tutorial I'll show you how to get all the possible values for a Swift enum type with a generic solution written in Swift.

From Swift 4.2 you can simply conform to the CaseIterable protocol, and you’ll get the allCases static property for free. If you are reading this blog post in 2023, you should definitely upgrade your Swift language version to the latest. 🎉

enum ABC: String, CaseIterable {
    case a, b, c
}


print(ABC.allCases.map { $0.rawValue })

If you are targeting below Swift 4.2, feel free to use the following method.

The EnumCollection protocol approach

First we need to define a new EnumCollection protocol, and then we’ll make a protocol extension on it, so you don’t have to write too much code at all.

public protocol EnumCollection: Hashable {
    static func cases() -> AnySequence<Self>
    static var allValues: [Self] { get }
}

public extension EnumCollection {

    public static func cases() -> AnySequence<Self> {
        return AnySequence { () -> AnyIterator<Self> in
            var raw = 0
            return AnyIterator {
                let current: Self = withUnsafePointer(to: &raw) { $0.withMemoryRebound(to: self, capacity: 1) { $0.pointee } }
                guard current.hashValue == raw else {
                    return nil
                }
                raw += 1
                return current
            }
        }
    }

    public static var allValues: [Self] {
        return Array(self.cases())
    }
}

From now on you only have to conform your enum types to the EnumCollection protocol and you can enjoy the brand new cases method and allValues property which will contain all the possible values for that given enumeration.

enum Weekdays: String, EnumCollection {
    case sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday
}

for weekday in Weekdays.cases() {
    print(weekday.rawValue)
}

print(Weekdays.allValues.map { $0.rawValue.capitalized })

Note that the base type of the enumeration needs to be Hashable, but that’s not a big deal. However this solution feels like past tense, just like Swift 4, please consider upgrading your project to the latest version of Swift. 👋

Related posts

· 2 min read

How to make a Swift framework?


Creating a Swift framework shouldn't be hard. This tutorial will help you making a universal framework for complex projects.

· 1 min read

Swift enum all values


In this quick tutorial I'll show you how to get all the possible values for a Swift enum type with a generic solution written in Swift.

· 11 min read

Deep dive into Swift frameworks


Learn everything about Swift modules, libraries, packages, closed source frameworks, command line tools and more.

· 6 min read

Everything about public and private Swift attributes


Have you ever heard about Swift language attributes? In this article I'm trying to gather all the @ annotations and their meanings.

Practical Server Side Swift cover image

Get the Practical Server Side Swift book

Swift on the server is an amazing new opportunity to build fast, safe and scalable backend apps. Write your very first web-based application by using your favorite programming language. Learn how to build a modular blog engine using the latest version of the Vapor 4 framework. This book will help you to design and create modern APIs that'll allow you to share code between the server side and iOS. Start becoming a full-stack Swift developer.

Available on Gumroad