Passing an optional Enum to a function in VB.NET

Question

I am trying to pass an optional Enum to a function but can't get the syntax right. I am trying the following:

Public Function MyFunction(ByVal TestCode As String, Optional ByVal Columns As [Enum] = MyEnumName.EnumVariable) As Boolean

Also tried:

Public Function MyFunction(ByVal TestCode As String, Optional ByVal Columns As [Enum] = MyEnumName) As Boolean

And get the error message

"Conversion from "MyEnumName" to "System.Enum" cannot occur in a constant expression"

Is it possible to have optional Enums or what am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

When dealing with Enums, you have to specify as type the given name rather than [Enum]. Sample code:

Public Enum MyEnumName
    val1
    val2
End Enum

Public Function MyFunction(ByVal TestCode As String, Optional ByVal Columns As MyEnumName = MyEnumName.val1) As Boolean

End Function