<identifier> expected compile error

Question

I am trying to figure out why I get a compile error on the code below:

package com....;
public enum Something { //says error: <identifier> expected on this line
private String myInput;
public Something(String paramString) {
 this.myInput = paramString;
}
public String getInputName() {
 return this.myInput;
}
}

• Nidhoegger: did you mean class instead of enum?
• michaelsmith: It is code I inherited and it comes with enum

Answer 1

You have couple of problem with your enum declaration , first enum constructor cannot be public and second you need to add ; before private field. E.g.

public enum Something {
 ;
 private String myInput;
 Something(String paramString) {
 this.myInput = paramString;
 }
 public String getInputName() {
 return this.myInput;
 }
}

• michaelsmith: Aha. Adding ; fixes the problem. Didnt know that there must be a ; before private variable. Learned something. Thank you.
• sol4me: Glad it helps :) . You can always accept it as answer if it answered your question
• D. Ben Knoble: why is the ; necessary?
• sol4me: @BenKnoble To end the enum constant declaration block . Please note that in enum All the constants must be declared on the top, they can't come last or in between enum definition

Answer 2

Since it seems you are not using enumerations, change "enum" to "class".

package com....;
public class Something {
 private String myInput;
 public Something(String paramString) {
 this.myInput = paramString;
 }
 public String getInputName() {
 return this.myInput;
 }
}

• michaelsmith: Changing to class is indeed compiling, I suppose this fixes my problem. But still, why wouldnt it compile with enum?