| The generated Java source files for Protocol Buffer enums have `getNumber()` as |
| accessors for the tag number in the protobuf file. |
| |
| In addition, since it's a java enum, it also has the `ordinal()` method, |
| returning its positional index within the generated java enum. |
| |
| The `ordinal()` order of the generated Java enums isn't guaranteed, and can |
| change when a new enum value is inserted into a proto enum. The `getNumber()` |
| value won't change for an enum value (since making that change is a |
| backwards-incompatible change for the protocol buffer). |
| |
| You should very likely use `getNumber()` in preference to `ordinal()` in all |
| circumstances since it's a more stable value. |
| |
| Note: If you're changing code that was already using ordinal(), it's likely that |
| getNumber() will return a different real value. Tread carefully to avoid |
| mismatches if the ordinal was persisted elsewhere. |
