Foam Hardness = 20

Code Understanding

enum foam{soft=20,medium=40,hard=60};
Here instead of compiler defining its own default values, user has given fixed set of values.

int main() {
foam x;
A variable x based on enum data type foam has been declared.

x=soft;
The variable has been assigned a value which is one out of enum list.

switch(x) {
Switch based on enum value list

case soft: cout<<“Foam Hardness = “<<soft;break;
case medium: cout<<“Foam Hardness = “<<medium;break;
case hard: cout<<“Foam Hardness = “<<hard;break;
switch cases are also based on enum value list and the value printed is also according to enum value list.

default:cout<<“Not in List”; }
return 0;
}

Notes

• Read the following article to understand the basic concepts of enumeration in C++.
  http://computersirkiclass.com/?p=4547

Common Errors

• Learners often incorrectly provide direct integer values to enumerated data types, which is wrong. for e.g. in above example one can not write.
  foam x;
  x=20; //This will give error as only possible value like soft, medium and hard only can be assigned. even though it may internally assign the same value.

Suggested Filename(s): enum-val.cpp, enum-user-given.cpp