The enum statement


ENUM is closely related to the #define preprocessor.

It allows you to define a list of aliases which represent integer numbers. For example if you find yourself coding something like:

        #define MON 1 
        #define TUE 2 
        #define WED 3 

You could use enum as below.

        enum week { Mon=1, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri Sat, Sun} days;
  or
        enum escapes { BELL   = '\a', BACKSPACE = '\b', HTAB = '\t',
                       RETURN = '\r', NEWLINE   = '\n', VTAB = '\v' };
                       
  or     
        enum boolean { FALSE = 0, TRUE };
 

An advantage of enum over #define is that it has scope This means that the variable (just like any other) is only visable within the block it was declared within.

You don't have to name the enum e.g.

        enum { FALSE = 0, TRUE };


Notes:


See Also:

C++ Enhancements to enum.

#define preprocessor.


Examples:

enum example 1.

enum example 2.

enum coding error.

Another enum coding error.

enum and #define coding error.


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Martin Leslie