enum case handling - better to use a switch or a dictionary?

Question

When handling the values of an enum on a case by case basis, is it better to use a switch statement or a dictionary?

I would think that the dictionary would be faster.

Answer 1

Since the translations are one-to-one or one-to-none, why not assign IDs to each word. Then cast from one enum to another

So define your enums as

enum FruitType
{
    Other = 0,
    Apple = 1,
    Banana = 2,
    Mango = 3,
    Orange = 4
}
enum SpanishFruitType
{
    Otra = 0,
    Manzana = 1, // Apple
    Platano = 2, // Banana
    Naranja = 4, // Orange
}

Then define your conversion method as

private static SpanishFruitType GetSpanishEquivalent(FruitType typeOfFruit)
{
    //'translate' with the word's ID. 
    //If there is no translation, the enum would be undefined
    SpanishFruitType translation = (SpanishFruitType)(int)typeOfFruit;

    //Check if the translation is defined
    if (Enum.IsDefined(typeof(SpanishFruitType), translation))
    {
        return translation;
    }
    else
    {
        return SpanishFruitType.Otra;
    }
}