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Why is it okay for an enum to have two different names with the same numeric value?

I just discovered a subtle bug where I had an enum with two names unintentially sharing the same numeric value (in this case red=10 and crimson=10). I'm a bit surprised this isn't a syntax error.

public enum Colour
{
    Red=10,
    Blue=11,
    Green=12,
    Crimson=10
}
// Debug.Write(Colour.Red==Colour.Crimson) outputs True

Is there any real world reason why this behaviour might be a useful or do think it should be a syntax error?

Solution 
  • public enum Colour
{
    Red=10,
    Rouge=10,
    Blue=11,
    Bleu=11,
    Green=12,
    Vert=12,
    Black=13,
    Noir=13
}