Best practice for packing Java enums?

Question

What is the best practice for packaging Java enums?

is it separate file for each enum?
or
having same file for all the enums?

What are the pros and cons ?

Answer 1

First, an overriding rule is that if an enum is public, it must be declared in a file of its own. This is a Java rule that applies to all classes, interfaces, and enums, which cannot be broken.

For non-public enums, you should follow the same rule, except when multiple enums are closely connected.

For example, if you are building an expression processor and declaring an enumeration for an expression sub-type, a binary expression sub-type, and a unary expression sub-type, you may want to group the three enumerations together in a single file.

Answer 2

Enums are classes so you should pack them as ordinary classes. If the enum is used in many places inside the package then put it in a single file. If the enum is strongly linked with a class, then put it as a public (or protected) static inner class.

I do not see reasons for placing all the enums in a single file unless they are related.