Two different enums have same items not working in c++

Question

I really want to be able to do this in my code, but this error: redefinition of enumerator 'TEST'

enum test1 {
    TEST
};

enum test2 {
    TEST
};

Is there a way to get around this since I really want the same names inside the different enums. Also why is this happening?

"I really want the same names inside the different enums" How do you want to use them? — n. m. could be an AI, Dec 07 '21 at 06:43
"*since I really want the same names inside the different enums.*" If you do this, how does the compiler know which enum it comes from when seeing `TEST`? — 康桓瑋, Dec 07 '21 at 06:47

SelflessPotato · Accepted Answer · 2021-12-07T07:23:04.177

8

This can be solved by defining your enums as enum class instead of plain enums. By defining as a plain enum, the names are unscoped and therefore conflict with each other. If they are defined as enum classes, the names are contained within the scope of the enum. Note, however, that as a result of this change, you will also need to use the scope resolution operator, e.g. test1::TEST and test2::TEST.

edited Dec 07 '21 at 07:23

answered Dec 07 '21 at 06:43

SelflessPotato

126
4

That's exactly what I needed. – jujumumu Dec 07 '21 at 06:50
3

Note the scope operator is NOT a side effect, it is part of the reason enum classes exist. To be able to be explicit and have the possibility to reuse names. – Pepijn Kramer Dec 07 '21 at 07:16
2

`scope resolution operator` to be more exact. – digito_evo Dec 07 '21 at 07:20

Two different enums have same items not working in c++

1 Answers1