What is enum in C++ with example?

Enumeration is a user defined datatype in C/C++ language. It is used to assign names to the integral constants which makes a program easy to read and maintain. The keyword “enum” is used to declare an enumeration. enum colors{red, black}; enum suit{heart, diamond=8, spade=3, club}; The following is an example of enums.

What is an enum type C++?

An enumeration is a user-defined type that consists of a set of named integral constants that are known as enumerators. This article covers the ISO Standard C++ Language enum type and the scoped (or strongly-typed) enum class type which is introduced in C++11.

How do you declare an enum in C++?

Enumeration in C++ Enum is a user defined data type where we specify a set of values for a variable and the variable can only take one out of a small set of possible values. We use enum keyword to define a Enumeration.

Where are enums used?

Enums are used when we know all possible values at compile time, such as choices on a menu, rounding modes, command line flags, etc. It is not necessary that the set of constants in an enum type stay fixed for all time. In Java (from 1.5), enums are represented using enum data type.

What is enum in C programming language?

Enumeration (or enum) is a user defined data type in C. It is mainly used to assign names to integral constants, the names make a program easy to read and maintain. enum State {Working = 1, Failed = 0}; The keyword ‘enum’ is used to declare new enumeration types in C and C++.

What is enum size?

On an 8-bit processor, enums can be 16-bits wide. On a 32-bit processor they can be 32-bits wide or more or less. The GCC C compiler will allocate enough memory for an enum to hold any of the values that you have declared. So, if your code only uses values below 256, your enum should be 8 bits wide.

What is enum data?

An enumeration is a data type that consists of a set of named values that represent integral constants, known as enumeration constants. An enumeration is also referred to as an enumerated type because you must list (enumerate) each of the values in creating a name for each of them.

Why do we use enums?

When to use enum?

You should always use enums when a variable (especially a method parameter) can only take one out of a small set of possible values. Examples would be things like type constants (contract status: “permanent”, “temp”, “apprentice”), or flags (“execute now”, “defer execution”).

Do enums start at 0?

Don’t start them at 0 unless there’s a reason to, such as using them as indices to an array or list, or if there’s some other practical reason (like using them in bitwise operations). Your enum should start exactly where it needs to. It needn’t be sequential, either.

What is enum in programming languages?

In computer programming, an enumerated type (also called enumeration, enum, or factor in the R programming language, and a categorical variable in statistics) is a data type consisting of a set of named values called elements, members, enumeral, or enumerators of the type.

What is enum data type?

Enum Types. An enum type is a special data type that enables for a variable to be a set of predefined constants. The variable must be equal to one of the values that have been predefined for it. Common examples include compass directions (values of NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, and WEST) and the days of the week.