How to compare enum with associated values by ignoring its associated value in Swift?

Edit: As Etan points out, you can omit the (_) wildcard match to use this more cleanly.

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Unfortunately, I don't believe that there's an easier way than your switch approach in Swift 1.2.

In Swift 2, however, you can use the new if-case pattern match:

let number = CardRank.Number(5)
if case .Number(_) = number {
    // Is a number
} else {
    // Something else
}

If you're looking to avoid verbosity, you might consider adding an isNumber computed property to your enum that implements your switch statement.

Unfortunately in Swift 1.x there isn't another way so you have to use switch which isn't as elegant as Swift 2's version where you can use if case:

if case .Number = number {
    //ignore the value
}
if case .Number(let x) = number {
    //without ignoring
}

In Swift 4.2 Equatable will be synthesized if all your associated values conform to Equatable. All you need to do is add Equatable.

enum CardRank: Equatable {
    case Number(Int)
    case Jack
    case Queen
    case King
    case Ace
}

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swift/equatable?changes=_3