Why use a enum to create the singleton pattern [duplicate]

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What are the downsides of implementing a singleton with Java's enum? (3 answers)

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Why would you use an enum to create a singleton pattern? To what purpose would it serve over a conventional singleton pattern?

I have seen the above used. The code uses an enum to create this pattern without benefit. It confuses the situation as the enum is not used to store a "set of named integral constants" but simply a method.

Answer 1

You wouldn't use it. It's mainly out there as an exercise to help you understand the interesting properties of java enums, for which there are a few uses beyond the more traditional C++ style uses. It's less verbose and requires some relatively deep knowledge of the language, which makes it attractive to the "look how clever I am" breed of programmers. You don't want to be that guy.