title: How to compare Enums in Python?
body: <p>Since Python 3.4, the <code>Enum</code> class exists.</p>
  
  <p>I am writing a program, where some constants have a specific order and I wonder which way is the most pythonic to compare them:</p>
  
  <pre><code>class Information(Enum):
      ValueOnly = 0
      FirstDerivative = 1
      SecondDerivative = 2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Now there is a method, which needs to compare a given <code>information</code> of <code>Information</code> with the different enums:</p>
  
  <pre><code>information = Information.FirstDerivative
  print(value)
  if information &gt;= Information.FirstDerivative:
      print(jacobian)
  if information &gt;= Information.SecondDerivative:
      print(hessian)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The direct comparison does not work with Enums, so there are three approaches and I wonder which one is preferred:</p>
  
  <p>Approach 1: Use values:</p>
  
  <pre><code>if information.value &gt;= Information.FirstDerivative.value:
       ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Approach 2: Use IntEnum:</p>
  
  <pre><code>class Information(IntEnum):
      ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Approach 3: Not using Enums at all:</p>
  
  <pre><code>class Information:
      ValueOnly = 0
      FirstDerivative = 1
      SecondDerivative = 2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Each approach works, Approach 1 is a bit more verbose, while Approach 2 uses the not recommended IntEnum-class, while  and Approach 3 seems to be the way one did this before Enum was added. </p>
  
  <p>I tend to use Approach 1, but I am not sure. </p>
  
  <p>Thanks for any advise!</p>