Implicit conversion from int to enum class in switch statement

Question

enum class pid
{
    Alpha, Beta, Gamma
};

int main()
{
    int propId = 2;
    switch(propId)
    {
    case pid::Alpha:
    case pid::Beta:
    case pid::Gamma:
        break;
    }
}

Above snippet compiles fine in msvc2012 (and works) but fails in clang-3.4 and g++-4.8. These require static_cast<pid>(propId) to be used inside switch clause.

Incidentally, simple assignment without explicit cast such as pid a = propId; gives error in each compiler.

Which one got it right?

Although it compiles, Intellisense in VC++2013 marks it as an error. — user2345215
– user2345215, Commented Jan 1, 2014 at 16:08

Kerrek SB · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-01 16:11:28Z

6

The standard Clause 4, "standard conversions", only every lists unscoped enumerations. Therefore, strong enums do not have any standard conversions, and you must use the static_cast in either direction.

You could argue that this sort of explicitness is the entire point of the strong enums. They do not act as integers at the drop of a hat, but rather require explicit declaration of intent. Note [thanks, @DyP] that switch statements explicitly support strong enums and do not require a manual conversion to some integral type.

answered Jan 1, 2014 at 16:11

Kerrek SB

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6 Comments

dyp Over a year ago

You could also quote [stmt.switch].

Kerrek SB Over a year ago

Actually, it would be neat if the standard defined a static member at() that would convert an underlying-type value into the enum in question and throw a range exception.

Kerrek SB Over a year ago

@LightnessRacesinOrbit: No seriously - everyone and their dog reinvent wheels to validate and print enums. At least the validation part can be done better by the compiler than by reinvention, don't you think?

Lightness Races in Orbit Over a year ago

@KerrekSB: Yeah but I wish people wouldn't use enums like that at all. I see benefits when de-serialising and that's about it.

bartgol Over a year ago

@LightnessRacesinOrbit Sometimes you are interfacing with other languages that do not have enums. You get an input integer, that you want to convert to an enum, cause you like to use those in your C++ code. Then you are force to use a switch statement, while something like template<typename EType> EType std::to_enum<EType>(typename std::unerlying_type<EType>::type i) would help..

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