Store the enum constants in variable -

this code works fine, question have code how store enum constant in variable, , why use enum? , statement mean housetype housetype;? thank in advance.

import java.util.scanner;  public class homebuying {     public enum housetype{unknown,singlefamily,townhouse,condominium};     public static void main(string[] args) {         scanner input = new scanner(system.in);         system.out.println("enter type of house want purchase"); //1.single family/n" " 2. townhouse/n" " 3. condominium/n");         int choice = input.nextint();         housetype housetype;         switch(choice) {             case 1:              housetype = housetype.singlefamily;             break;             case 2:              housetype = housetype.townhouse;             break;             case 3:             housetype = housetype.condominium;             break;             default:             housetype = housetype.unknown;             break;     }     system.out.println(housetype); } 

the code snippet provided stores enum value in variable.

housetype housetype; //declaration of variable of type housetype (means can store values of housetype enum) housetype = housetype.unknown; //put value housetype variable 

we use enums whenever need represent values known , finite set. example if want program keep track of whether day or night, make rule , use integers, 1 represents day , 0 represents night. other numbers mean? or use boolean (again, arbitrary meaning attached false , true).

enum timeperiod{     day,     night } 

enums represent better alternative letting explicit values mean. not convenience - being explicit in intentions makes program readable others.