Question

There are two conflicting definitions of enum class in Visual C++ 2012:

• The C++11, type-safe version of enum
• The C++/CLI, System::Enum derived type, equivalent to a ref class with static const integral members.

Does the meaning of enum class change when you enable or disable the /clr switch?

Answer 1

A managed enumeration must have an access specifier (either public or private). A C++11 scoped enumeration must not have an access specifier. For example,

enum class E { e0 };

public enum class F { f0 };
private enum class G { g0 };

E is valid in C++, C++/CLI, and C++/CX, and it is an ordinary C++ scoped enumeration.

F and G are valid only in C++/CLI and C++/CX, and they name a managed enumeration (in C++/CLI) or a Windows Runtime enumeration (in C++/CX).