Code Complete, 2nd Edition

Enumerated Types

An enumerated type is a type of data that allows each member of a class of objects to be described in English. Enumerated types are available in C++ and Visual Basic and are generally used when you know all the possible values of a variable and want to express them in words. Here are some examples of enumerated types in Visual Basic:

Example 12-13. Visual Basic Examples of Enumerated Types

Public Enum Color
   Color_Red
   Color_Green
   Color_Blue
End Enum

Public Enum Country
   Country_China
   Country_England
   Country_France
   Country_Germany
   Country_India
   Country_Japan
   Country_Usa
End Enum

Public Enum Output
   Output_Screen
   Output_Printer
   Output_File
End Enum

Enumerated types are a powerful alternative to shopworn schemes in which you explicitly ...