c# - Why can I cast an A[] to a B[] if A and B are enum types? -

enum makes code more readable , easy understand in many case. can't understand when can use line below :

public enum {     apple,orange,egg } public enum b {     apple,orange,egg } public static void main() {     a[] aa = (a[])(array) new b[100]; } 

can give me source code sample can used type of enum array.

the clr has more generous casting rules c# has. apparently, clr allows convert between arrays of enums if underlying type has same size both types. in question linked case (sbyte[])(object)(byte[]) surprising.

this in ecma spec partition i.8.7 assignment compatibility.

underlying types – in cts enumerations alternate names existing types (§i.8.5.2), termed underlying type. except signature matching (§i.8.5.2)

iii.4.3 castclass says

if actual type (not verifier tracked type) of obj verifier-assignable-to type typetok cast succeeds

castclass instruction c# compiler uses perform cast.

the fact, enum members same in example has nothing problem. note, no new object being created. cast of object reference.