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c++enum-class

Is there a simple way to convert an enum class to a string (c++)?

while there are solutions to easily convert an enum to a string, I would like the extra safety benefits of using enum class. Is there a simple way to convert an enum class to a string?

(The solution given doesn't work, as enum class can't index an array).

Solution

  • You cannot implicitly convert to the underlying type but you can do it explicitly. 

    enum class colours : int { red, green, blue };
const char *colour_names[] = { "red", "green", "blue" };
colours mycolour = colours::red;
cout << "the colour is" << colour_names[static_cast<int>(mycolour)];

    It's up to you if that is too verbose.