typedef enum

Learn to give an enum a new name with typedef.

typedef enum

typedef gives a type a new alias. With typedef enum you give an enum a short name; you no longer write the enum keyword every time.

Example: typedef enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE } Color;. From now on you can write Color c = GREEN;; no need for enum Color c = GREEN;. This shortens and cleans the code. It's common in headers; API types look simpler. typedef doesn't create a new type; it just adds a second name to an existing one.

Using typedef

After using typedef enum, you declare variables without the enum keyword. This improves readability especially for long enum names.

Example: typedef enum { LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH } Priority;. Then you can write Priority p = HIGH;. enum Priority p = HIGH; is still valid; but it's not needed. In API design, using typedef is a common standard; the user doesn't need to know the type is an enum. This hides implementation detail and makes future changes easier.

Exercise Print two colors with typedef enum

Define typedef enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE } Color;. In main, write Color c = RED; and Color g = GREEN;. Print with printf("%d %d\n", c, g);.

Show example solution

#include <stdio.h>

typedef enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE } Color;

int main(void) {
    Color c = RED;
    Color g = GREEN;
    printf("%d %d\n", c, g);
    return 0;
}

Test yourself

Type name in typedef enum {RED, GREEN, BLUE} Color;?
- Color
- RED
- enum Color
- typedef
Show answer

Color — typedef makes Color an alias for the enum type.
Match the typedef forms

typedef enum {...} Color

Type alias
Color c

Variable declaration
enum Color c

Long form
RED, GREEN, BLUE

Constant list

Complete the typedef enum alias

typedef enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE } ____;
Color c = GREEN;

Show answer

typedef enum { RED, GREEN, BLUE } Color;
Color c = GREEN;

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