Custom Enumeration vs Bit Flags

Developers should use custom enumeration when they need to define a closed set of related values in their code, such as for representing states (e meets developers should learn bit flags for low-level programming, embedded systems, or performance-critical applications where memory efficiency and fast operations are essential, such as in game development for entity component systems or in network protocols for packet headers. Here's our take.

Custom Enumeration

Nice Pick

Developers should use custom enumeration when they need to define a closed set of related values in their code, such as for representing states (e

Pros

• g
• Related to: type-safety, data-structures

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Bit Flags

Developers should learn bit flags for low-level programming, embedded systems, or performance-critical applications where memory efficiency and fast operations are essential, such as in game development for entity component systems or in network protocols for packet headers

Pros

• They are also useful in any domain requiring compact representation of multiple boolean values, like file permissions in Unix systems or feature toggles in software
• Related to: bitwise-operations, low-level-programming

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Custom Enumeration if: You want g and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Bit Flags if: You prioritize they are also useful in any domain requiring compact representation of multiple boolean values, like file permissions in unix systems or feature toggles in software over what Custom Enumeration offers.

The Bottom Line

Custom Enumeration wins

Developers should use custom enumeration when they need to define a closed set of related values in their code, such as for representing states (e