How to use enum in switch vs integer using

Question

I have enum in header file.

typedef enum{
     up = 8, down = 2, left = 4, right = 6
}direction;

I want use enum to identify type of move. Like this:

void sayTypeOfMove(int type){

     switch(type){
          case direction.up:
                 printf("IT IS UP MOVE...");
                 break;
     }

}

The code does not compile , where is the problem?

direction.up.....:-) it's not a structure member, after all... — Sourav Ghosh
– Sourav Ghosh, Commented Jul 9, 2015 at 7:45
Even for a simple question like this, where the problem is obvious considering the code, you should always provide the actual (complete and unedited) errors you get when posting a question regarding build errors. — Some programmer dude
– Some programmer dude, Commented Jul 9, 2015 at 7:48
As for your problem, I think that looking for a nice book or tutorial might be a good idea. — Some programmer dude
– Some programmer dude, Commented Jul 9, 2015 at 7:49
Before you ask your next question, you probably mean '2', '4', '6' and '8' not 2,4,6, and 8 for your direction_t enums, assuming you are using a numeric keypad and getchar() or equivalent ... otherwise use switch(direction-'0'){ ... sorry I just can't bring myself use type as a variable name — technosaurus
– technosaurus, Commented Jul 9, 2015 at 7:57

Marcus Müller · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-09 08:04:12Z

5

C understands the enum elements when it knows you're dealing with that enum, so the right code would be

void sayTypeOfMove(direction type){

     switch(type){
          case up:
                 printf("IT IS UP MOVE...");
                 break;
     }

}

By the way, type is a really bad name, because it feels so much like it should be a reserved keyword.

edited Jul 9, 2015 at 8:04

answered Jul 9, 2015 at 7:48

Marcus Müller

37k4 gold badges59 silver badges105 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Sourav Ghosh · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-09 07:52:27Z

2

With a definition like

typedef enum{
     up = 8, down = 2, left = 4, right = 6
}direction;

direction is a type, it's not a variable.

You need to define a variable of that type, and then use the value.

And remember, the enum does not have a member variable access concept, at all. The enumerator list contains "enumeration-constant" s. You can just use them directly, as a value.

edited Jul 9, 2015 at 7:52

answered Jul 9, 2015 at 7:46

Sourav Ghosh

135k17 gold badges192 silver badges271 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to use enum in switch vs integer using

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related