diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/EnumeratedAttribute.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/EnumeratedAttribute.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a38a436fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/EnumeratedAttribute.java
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+/*
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2000 The Apache Software Foundation. All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ * the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, if
+ * any, must include the following acknowlegement:
+ * "This product includes software developed by the
+ * Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ * Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
+ * if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "The Jakarta Project", "Tomcat", and "Apache Software
+ * Foundation" must not be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ * from this software without prior written permission. For written
+ * permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache"
+ * nor may "Apache" appear in their names without prior written
+ * permission of the Apache Group.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation. For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ *
See {@link org.apache.tools.ant.taskdefs.FixCRLF FixCRLF} for an
+ * example.
+ *
+ * @author Stefan Bodewig stefan.bodewig@megabit.net
+ */
+public abstract class EnumeratedAttribute {
+
+ protected String value;
+
+ /**
+ * This is the only method a subclass needs to implement.
+ *
+ * @return an array holding all possible values of the enumeration.
+ */
+ public abstract String[] getValues();
+
+ public EnumeratedAttribute() {}
+
+ /**
+ * Invoked by {@link IntrospectionHelper IntrospectionHelper}.
+ */
+ public final void setValue(String value) throws BuildException {
+ if (!containsValue(value)) {
+ throw new BuildException(value+" is not a legal value for this attribute");
+ }
+ this.value = value;
+ }
+
+ /**
+ * Is this value included in the enumeration?
+ */
+ public final boolean containsValue(String value) {
+ String[] values = getValues();
+ if (values == null || value == null) {
+ return false;
+ }
+
+ for (int i=0; i