In C/C++, with you use an enum type in a switch, the compiled will warn you if you are missing one. If you pass an enum type as argument, there will be a compil

In C/C++, with you use an enum type in a switch, the compiled will warn you if you are missing one. If you pass an enum type as argument, there will be a compile time check if the constant is part of the enum (you can force them, but it is not the point). Having a grouped set of constants also make sense in an organizational POV. In Java, enums are classes while in C/C++ they are only a set of constants. Enums in different languages are implemented differently and have various kind of extra features. But deep down, they always serve the purpose of storing a related set of constants.