What are the naming rules for enumeration in C language?

Although there are no mandatory enumeration naming rules in C, it is recommended to unify naming styles to enhance the readability and maintainability of the code. It is recommended to use all capital letters underlined, such as: typedef enum { COLOR_RED, COLOR_GREEN, COLOR_BLUE, COLOR_YELLOW } Color.

C language enumeration, this thing looks simple, but it can make people crazy when used. Why? If you don’t understand the naming rules, the code will be messy and it will be even more of a nightmare to change. In this article, let’s talk about the naming of C language enumeration and some pitfalls I stepped on back then. I hope it can help you avoid detours.

First of all, it must be clear that the C language itself does not mandate the naming rules for enumeration, which does not have strict coding specifications like Java. However, for the readability, maintainability, and even for the efficiency of teamwork, we must consciously abide by some conventional rules, which is more important than any mandatory provision.

Think about it, if in a project, there are various enumerated naming styles, some are in full capital, some are divided by underscore, and some are in camel nomenclature, what does the code look like? It's simply a disaster! Therefore, a unified naming style is the top priority.

I personally recommend using all capital letters and underlined, for example:

 <code class="c">typedef enum { COLOR_RED, COLOR_GREEN, COLOR_BLUE, COLOR_YELLOW } Color;</code>

This method is clear and clear, you can see at a glance that this is an enum type, and each enum value is also clear at a glance. In contrast, although styles like colorRed and color_green are quite pleasant to watch, they always feel that they are missing something, not formal enough, and are easily confused with ordinary variables.

Of course, you can also choose other styles, such as all lowercase underscores, or camel nomenclature, but the key is to keep it consistent in the project. Never mix different naming styles in a project, otherwise, the code maintenance will make you doubt your life.

Let’s talk about some easy mistakes. Many newbies like to use numbers to define enum values, such as:

 <code class="c">typedef enum { RED = 0, GREEN = 1, BLUE = 2 } Color;</code>

While this will work, it hides a potential danger: If a new color needs to be inserted between GREEN and BLUE later, all subsequent enum values ​​need to be readjusted. This can bring huge maintenance costs and is prone to errors.

The best way is to let the compiler automatically allocate enum values, which avoids the hassle of manual adjustment:

 <code class="c">typedef enum { COLOR_RED, COLOR_GREEN, COLOR_BLUE, COLOR_YELLOW } Color;</code>

Finally, I would like to emphasize that the naming of an enum should be descriptive and can clearly express the meaning of the enum value. Avoid using ambiguity naming, such as using A , B , C instead of specific meanings. This not only reduces the readability of the code, but also increases the possibility of errors.

Remember, the code is written for people to see, and the second is executed for machines. A good naming style can significantly improve the readability and maintainability of your code, make your code more elegant and your programming career easier. Don't be lazy, start now and take the naming of enumeration seriously!

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