What does "enum" mean in programming?

enum is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

A keyword that defines a set of named constant values. Enums make code more readable by replacing magic strings or numbers with descriptive names.

Example

"enum Direction { Up, Down, Left, Right }"

Related terms

type
constant
declaration

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