Binding an enum's toString() to a Label - javafx

Question

I have set up my application to change its function based on an enum. The value of a variable linked to this enum will determine how the program interprets certain actions like mouse clicks and so on. I would like a Label (perhaps in the status area in the bottom left) to reflect what the current "mode" the application is in, and display a readable message for the user to see.
Here's my enum:
enum Mode {
defaultMode, // Example states that will determine
alternativeMode; // how the program interprets mouse clicks
// My attempt at making a property that a label could bind to
private SimpleStringProperty property = new SimpleStringProperty(this, "myEnumProp", "Initial Text");
public SimpleStringProperty getProperty() {return property;}
// Override of the toString() method to display prettier text
#Override
public String toString()
{
switch(this) {
case defaultMode:
return "Default mode";
default:
return "Alternative mode";
}
}
}
From what I've gathered, what I'm looking for is a way to bind an enum's toString() property (which I overrode into more digestable form) to this label. The binding would be so that whenever I set something like
applicationState = Mode.alternativeMode;
the label will display the toString() results automatically, without me needing to place a leftStatus.setText(applicationState.toString()) every time I do that.
Here's what I've tried: (in my main controller class):
leftStatus.textProperty().bind(applicationState.getProperty());
That sets the label to the initial text, but won't update when I update the applicationState enum.
What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

Instead of adding a property to the enum class, why not use a ObjectProperty for the application state? Have a look at this MCVE:
import javafx.application.Application;
import javafx.beans.property.ObjectProperty;
import javafx.beans.property.SimpleObjectProperty;
import javafx.scene.Scene;
import javafx.scene.control.Button;
import javafx.scene.control.Label;
import javafx.scene.layout.FlowPane;
import javafx.stage.Stage;
public class Example extends Application {
private ObjectProperty<Mode> appState = new SimpleObjectProperty<>(Mode.DEFAULT);
public static void main(String[] args) {
launch(args);
}
#Override
public void start(Stage primaryStage) throws Exception {
Button btn = new Button("Toggle mode");
btn.setOnMouseClicked((event) -> appState.setValue(appState.get() == Mode.DEFAULT ? Mode.ALTERNATIVE : Mode.DEFAULT));
Label lbl = new Label();
lbl.textProperty().bind(appState.asString());
FlowPane pane = new FlowPane();
pane.getChildren().addAll(btn, lbl);
primaryStage.setScene(new Scene(pane));
primaryStage.show();
}
public enum Mode {
DEFAULT("Default mode"),
ALTERNATIVE("Alternative mode");
private String description;
private Mode(String description) {
this.description = description;
}
#Override
public String toString() {
return description;
}
}
}

Answer 2

Use asString to get a StringBinding from a Property<Mode> containing the value of the property converted to String using the object's toString method.
Example:
#Override
public void start(Stage primaryStage) {
ComboBox<Mode> combo = new ComboBox<>();
combo.getItems().setAll(Mode.values());
Label label = new Label();
// use "state" property from combo box
// (you could replace combo.valueProperty() with your own property)
label.textProperty().bind(combo.valueProperty().asString());
Scene scene = new Scene(new VBox(combo, label), 200, 200);
primaryStage.setScene(scene);
primaryStage.show();
}
Otherwise, if you want the property value contained in the enum, you could use Bindings.selectString, provided you rename the getProperty() method to propertyProperty() to adhere the naming conventions:
enum Mode {
...
public StringProperty propertyProperty() {return property;}
...
}
private final Random random = new Random();
#Override
public void start(Stage primaryStage) {
ComboBox<Mode> combo = new ComboBox<>();
combo.getItems().setAll(Mode.values());
Label label = new Label();
// use "state" property from combo box
// (you could replace combo.valueProperty() with your own property)
label.textProperty().bind(Bindings.selectString(combo.valueProperty(), "property"));
Scene scene = new Scene(new VBox(combo, label), 200, 200);
scene.setOnMouseClicked(evt -> {
// change property values at random
Mode.defaultMode.propertyProperty().set(random.nextBoolean() ? "a" : "b");
Mode.alternativeMode.propertyProperty().set(random.nextBoolean() ? "c" : "d");
});
primaryStage.setScene(scene);
primaryStage.show();
}