Python 3.4 Enum Backport (enum34)

1.1.10 · maintenance · verified Thu Apr 09

`enum34` backports the `enum.Enum` class from Python 3.4 to older Python versions (2.4-3.3), enabling the use of enumerated types across diverse legacy environments. It also includes selected features from newer Python `enum` modules, such as `auto()` and `Flag` from Python 3.6. The library is currently at version 1.1.10, and due to its nature as a backport, active development has ceased, though it remains functional and stable for its intended purpose.

Warnings

breaking `enum34` should NOT be used on Python 3.4 or newer. Python 3.4 introduced the `enum` module into the standard library. Using `enum34` on these versions can lead to conflicts, unexpected behavior, or unnecessary overhead. Always use the built-in `enum` module for Python 3.4+.
Fix: Remove `enum34` from your dependencies and switch to `from enum import Enum` (or `IntEnum`, `auto`, etc.) for Python 3.4 and later.
gotcha While `enum34` primarily backports `Enum` from Python 3.4, it also includes features like `auto()`, `Flag`, and `StrEnum` which were introduced in later Python versions (3.6 and 3.11 respectively). Be aware that the behavior of these backported features might have subtle differences or limitations compared to their native implementations in newer Python versions.
Fix: Thoroughly test your enum implementations, especially when using advanced features like `auto()` or `Flag`, if targeting a wide range of Python versions or migrating to/from native `enum`.
deprecated For all new Python projects or projects targeting Python 3.4 or newer, `enum34` is obsolete. Its sole purpose is to provide `enum` functionality to legacy Python 2 and early Python 3 environments (up to 3.3).
Fix: If starting a new project or upgrading an existing one to Python 3.4+, do not install `enum34`. Rely solely on the standard library's `enum` module.

Install

pip install enum34 Install `enum34`

Imports

Enum
```
from enum34 import Enum
```
For Python versions prior to 3.4, `Enum` must be imported from `enum34`.
IntEnum
```
from enum34 import IntEnum
```
For Python versions prior to 3.4, `IntEnum` must be imported from `enum34`.
auto
```
from enum34 import auto
```
The `auto()` function was introduced in standard `enum` in Python 3.6. For older Pythons using `enum34`, it must be imported from `enum34`.

Quickstart

Defines a basic `Enum` using `auto()` for automatic value assignment and demonstrates accessing members by name, value, and iteration.

from enum34 import Enum, auto

class Color(Enum):
    RED = auto()
    GREEN = auto()
    BLUE = auto()

    def __str__(self):
        return self.name.lower()

print(f"First color: {Color.RED}")
print(f"Value of GREEN: {Color.GREEN.value}")
print(f"Access by value (1): {Color(1)}")
print(f"Iterating through colors:")
for color in Color:
    print(f"- {color.name}: {color.value}")

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