Enum - core java II example

Question

hi
the following code is an example taken from 'core java II'-book.
what i don't understand is where the enum constructor is called
to set the abbreviation field
anyone care to explain ?
thanks
import java.util.*;
public class EnumTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in);
        System.out.print("Enter a size: (SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, EXTRA_LARGE) ");
        String input = in.next().toUpperCase();
        Size size = Enum.valueOf(Size.class, input);
        System.out.println("size=" + size);
        System.out.println("abbreviation=" + size.getAbbreviation());
        if (size == Size.EXTRA_LARGE) {
            System.out.println("Good job--you paid attention to the _.");
enum Size {
    SMALL("S"), MEDIUM("M"), LARGE("L"), EXTRA_LARGE("XL");
    private Size(String abbreviation) {
        this.abbreviation = abbreviation;
    public String getAbbreviation() {
        return abbreviation;
    private String abbreviation;
}

Answer 1

so from what i get here is that
SMALL("S"),MEDIUM("M"),LARGE("L"); are the constructors from where abbreviations are taken.
I want to clear one more doubt.
private Size(String abbreviation) {
        this.abbreviation = abbreviation;1. This is also a constructor right ? If yes then, what was the need that the author made this constructor private ?
2. Why public modifier is not allowed there ?
3. Size s = Enum.valueOf(Size.class,input);Over here what is the role of argument Size.class ?
4. enum size
Size s = Enum.valueOf(Size.class,input);In the first code enum's e is small but in the second code Enum's E is capital. How so ?
Edited by: levislover on Jun 16, 2010 11:29 PM