C++ Have array values in an enum?

Question

I was wondering if it is possible to have an array value in an enum? Example

    enum RGB {
      RED[3],
      BLUE[3]

    } color;

That way RED could contain values of (255,0,0) since that is the RGB color code for red.

Enums aren't really meant to contain values. you could have a static const int enumValues[numColors][3] containing colors corresponding to enums. You still can do enum RGB { RED = 0xff000, BLUE=0x00ff00, ...}. — coyotte508
– coyotte508, Commented Jun 9, 2016 at 15:06
yeah I know in worst case scenario I would just use that instead. Thanks for the help — noah perez
– noah perez, Commented Jun 9, 2016 at 15:09

R Sahu · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-09 15:15:50Z

3

You cannot do that. The tokens in an enum can only hold integral values.

A possible solution:

struct Color {uint8_t r; uint8_t g; uint8_t b;}; 

Color const RED = {255, 0, 0};
Color const GREEN = {0, 255, 0};
Color const BLUE = {0, 0, 255};

answered Jun 9, 2016 at 15:15

R Sahu

207k15 gold badges168 silver badges291 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Karl Nicoll · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-09 15:19:36Z

3

No you can't do that with an enum. It looks a lot like you want a class/struct:

class Color {
public:
    int red;
    int green;
    int blue;

    Color(int r, int g, int b) : red(r), green(g), blue(b) { }
};

Once you have that class defined, you can then put it into a container (e.g. array, vector) and look them up. You could use an enum to refer to elements in an array, for example.

enum PresetColor {
    PRESET_COLOR_RED,
    PRESET_COLOR_GREEN,
    PRESET_COLOR_BLUE,
};

...
Color presetColors[] = { Color(255, 0, 0), Color(0, 255, 0), Color(0, 0, 255) };

Color favouriteColor = presetColors[PRESET_COLOR_GREEN];

With that in mind, you could wrap all this up to be more maintainable, but I would say that's out of the scope of this question.

edited Jun 9, 2016 at 15:19

answered Jun 9, 2016 at 15:15

Karl Nicoll

16.5k3 gold badges53 silver badges65 bronze badges

Comments

Peter VARGA · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-09 15:05:52Z

1

To make a long story short: NO, it is not possible.

answered Jun 9, 2016 at 15:05

Peter VARGA

5,3273 gold badges49 silver badges87 bronze badges

Comments

Chris H · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-09 15:07:00Z

0

No, the definition of enums only allows for them to hold integer values.

answered Jun 9, 2016 at 15:07

Chris H

83010 silver badges19 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

C++ Have array values in an enum?

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related