There is no built-in mechanism in C to convert enum into strings, but it can be implemented through the following methods: 1. Use arrays or std::array mapping, which is suitable for enum class defined continuously from 0, which is fast but not for discontinuous values; 2. Use switch statements, which are type-safe and readable, and the compiler can warn of unprocessed enum values, which is recommended for enum class; 3. Use std::map, which is suitable for scenarios where values are discontinuous or need to be explicitly semantic mapping, with high flexibility but slightly low performance; it is necessary to note that when using enum class, it should be converted to integers through static_cast, and the mapping must be synchronized after adding new enum values to avoid errors or return "Unknown". In most cases, switch statements are recommended because they are clear, safe and easy to maintain.
In C, there is no built-in mechanism to convert enum directly into strings, but it can be implemented in several common ways. Here is a clear, practical example showing how to convert enum into a readable string.
? Method 1: Use lookup table (array or std::map )
This is the easiest and most straightforward way.
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <array>
enum class Color {
Red,
Green,
Blue
};
// Use std::array to map enum to string
const std::array<std::string, 3> ColorToString = {
"Red",
"Green",
"Blue"
};
// Helper function: convert enum to string
std::string toString(Color c) {
return ColorToString[static_cast<int>(c)];
}
int main() {
Color c = Color::Green;
std::cout << "Color: " << toString(c) << std::endl; // Output: Green
return 0;
}? Advantages: Fast speed (array index), suitable for continuous definition of
enum classstarting from 0.
? Disadvantages: If the enum value is not continuous or has a custom value, it is prone to errors.
? Method 2: Use switch statements (recommended for readability and flexibility)
std::string toString(Color c) {
switch (c) {
case Color::Red: return "Red";
case Color::Green: return "Green";
case Color::Blue: return "Blue";
default: return "Unknown";
}
}? Advantages: Type-safe, supports any enum value, the compiler can warn of unprocessed cases (with
-Wswitch).
? Recommended forenum class, clear and easy to maintain.
? Method 3: Use std::map to support non-continuous values
#include <map>
enum class LogLevel {
Info = 100,
Warning = 200,
Error = 500
};
const std::map<LogLevel, std::string> LogLevelToString = {
{LogLevel::Info, "Info"},
{LogLevel::Warning, "Warning"},
{LogLevel::Error, "Error"}
};
std::string toString(LogLevel level) {
auto it = LogLevelToString.find(level);
if (it != LogLevelToString.end()) {
return it->second;
}
return "Unknown";
}? Suitable for scenarios where values are discontinuous or have clear semantic mappings.
? Performance is slightly lower than arrays or switches, but more flexible.
?? Notes
- If you use
enum class, you must convertstatic_castto an integer to be used for array indexing. - Normal
enumcan be converted implicitly to int, but explicit conversions are still recommended to improve readability. - When adding a new enum value, don't forget to update the string map, otherwise an error or "Unknown" will occur.
? C 17 and above: Can combine if constexpr and template (advanced)
If you want generalization, you can combine constexpr and templates, but it is usually not necessary. switch is enough for simple projects.
Basically these common methods. For most cases, it is recommended to use switch statements , which are clear, safe and easy to maintain.
The above is the detailed content of C convert enum to string example. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
Hot AI Tools
Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free
Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos
AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.
Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover
Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!
Hot Article
Hot Tools
Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor
SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use
Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment
Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools
SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)
Using std::chrono in C
Jul 15, 2025 am 01:30 AM
std::chrono is used in C to process time, including obtaining the current time, measuring execution time, operation time point and duration, and formatting analysis time. 1. Use std::chrono::system_clock::now() to obtain the current time, which can be converted into a readable string, but the system clock may not be monotonous; 2. Use std::chrono::steady_clock to measure the execution time to ensure monotony, and convert it into milliseconds, seconds and other units through duration_cast; 3. Time point (time_point) and duration (duration) can be interoperable, but attention should be paid to unit compatibility and clock epoch (epoch)
How to get a stack trace in C ?
Jul 07, 2025 am 01:41 AM
There are mainly the following methods to obtain stack traces in C: 1. Use backtrace and backtrace_symbols functions on Linux platform. By including obtaining the call stack and printing symbol information, the -rdynamic parameter needs to be added when compiling; 2. Use CaptureStackBackTrace function on Windows platform, and you need to link DbgHelp.lib and rely on PDB file to parse the function name; 3. Use third-party libraries such as GoogleBreakpad or Boost.Stacktrace to cross-platform and simplify stack capture operations; 4. In exception handling, combine the above methods to automatically output stack information in catch blocks
What is a POD (Plain Old Data) type in C ?
Jul 12, 2025 am 02:15 AM
In C, the POD (PlainOldData) type refers to a type with a simple structure and compatible with C language data processing. It needs to meet two conditions: it has ordinary copy semantics, which can be copied by memcpy; it has a standard layout and the memory structure is predictable. Specific requirements include: all non-static members are public, no user-defined constructors or destructors, no virtual functions or base classes, and all non-static members themselves are PODs. For example structPoint{intx;inty;} is POD. Its uses include binary I/O, C interoperability, performance optimization, etc. You can check whether the type is POD through std::is_pod, but it is recommended to use std::is_trivia after C 11.
How to call Python from C ?
Jul 08, 2025 am 12:40 AM
To call Python code in C, you must first initialize the interpreter, and then you can achieve interaction by executing strings, files, or calling specific functions. 1. Initialize the interpreter with Py_Initialize() and close it with Py_Finalize(); 2. Execute string code or PyRun_SimpleFile with PyRun_SimpleFile; 3. Import modules through PyImport_ImportModule, get the function through PyObject_GetAttrString, construct parameters of Py_BuildValue, call the function and process return
What is function hiding in C ?
Jul 05, 2025 am 01:44 AM
FunctionhidinginC occurswhenaderivedclassdefinesafunctionwiththesamenameasabaseclassfunction,makingthebaseversioninaccessiblethroughthederivedclass.Thishappenswhenthebasefunctionisn’tvirtualorsignaturesdon’tmatchforoverriding,andnousingdeclarationis
How to pass a function as a parameter in C ?
Jul 12, 2025 am 01:34 AM
In C, there are three main ways to pass functions as parameters: using function pointers, std::function and Lambda expressions, and template generics. 1. Function pointers are the most basic method, suitable for simple scenarios or C interface compatible, but poor readability; 2. Std::function combined with Lambda expressions is a recommended method in modern C, supporting a variety of callable objects and being type-safe; 3. Template generic methods are the most flexible, suitable for library code or general logic, but may increase the compilation time and code volume. Lambdas that capture the context must be passed through std::function or template and cannot be converted directly into function pointers.
What is a null pointer in C ?
Jul 09, 2025 am 02:38 AM
AnullpointerinC isaspecialvalueindicatingthatapointerdoesnotpointtoanyvalidmemorylocation,anditisusedtosafelymanageandcheckpointersbeforedereferencing.1.BeforeC 11,0orNULLwasused,butnownullptrispreferredforclarityandtypesafety.2.Usingnullpointershe
How does std::move work in C ?
Jul 07, 2025 am 01:27 AM
std::move does not actually move anything, it just converts the object to an rvalue reference, telling the compiler that the object can be used for a move operation. For example, when string assignment, if the class supports moving semantics, the target object can take over the source object resource without copying. Should be used in scenarios where resources need to be transferred and performance-sensitive, such as returning local objects, inserting containers, or exchanging ownership. However, it should not be abused, because it will degenerate into a copy without a moving structure, and the original object status is not specified after the movement. Appropriate use when passing or returning an object can avoid unnecessary copies, but if the function returns a local variable, RVO optimization may already occur, adding std::move may affect the optimization. Prone to errors include misuse on objects that still need to be used, unnecessary movements, and non-movable types
