Better Enums
A C++ compile-time enum library providing reflection, iteration, and string conversion in a single header file.
What is Better Enums?
Better Enums is a C++ library that enhances standard enums with reflection capabilities, allowing developers to convert enums to strings, iterate over enum values, and perform compile-time queries. It solves the problem of C++ enums lacking built-in introspection and utility functions, providing a single-header solution without dependencies.
C++ developers working on projects that require robust enum handling, such as serialization, debugging, UI code, or metaprogramming, especially those using C++11 or needing compatibility with C++98.
Developers choose Better Enums for its clean syntax, compile-time efficiency, and cross-compiler support, offering a lightweight yet powerful alternative to manual enum utilities or heavier reflection libraries.
Overview
C++ compile-time enum to string, iteration, in a single header file
Use Cases
Best For
- Adding string conversion and iteration to C++ enums
- Compile-time enum reflection for metaprogramming
- Implementing serialization or logging with enum values
- Creating UI components that display enum names
- Writing cross-platform C++ code with consistent enum handling
- Enhancing legacy C++98 projects with scoped and sized enums
Not Ideal For
- Projects that require enums to be defined directly inside class definitions
- Enums with more than 64 constants where extending the limit is undesirable
- Teams preferring zero-macro solutions or standard C++11/14 enum features without library dependencies
Pros & Cons
Pros
Enables conversion to strings, iteration, and bounds checking at compile time in C++11, allowing for efficient metaprogramming with zero runtime overhead in optimized builds.
Just add enum.h to your project with no external dependencies, making integration trivial and reducing build system complexity.
Tested and works on clang, gcc, and msvc, ensuring reliable portability across different development environments and platforms.
Provides scoped and sized enums for C++98, bringing modern enum features like controlled representation to older codebases without requiring language upgrades.
Cons
Cannot be used directly inside class definitions, forcing workarounds like typedefs or namespace usage, which can complicate code organization.
Has a soft limit of 64 constants per enum, requiring manual extension for larger enumerations and potentially increasing maintenance burden.
In comparisons, constants often need explicit promotion with the + operator to avoid type issues, introducing subtle boilerplate and error risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
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