Strict vs. Loose Enumerations

A TestStand enumeration can be either strict or loose. A loose enumeration can take on any numeric value. Enums in C, C++, and C# can be described loose in this sense. A strict enumeration can take on only those values defined by its enumerators. Attempting to set a strict TestStand enumeration to a value that does not correspond to its enumerators results in an error. By default, TestStand enumerations are strict.

Flag Enumerations

TestStand enumerations may be designated as “flags.” This is conceptually similar to adding the [Flags] attribute to an enum in .NET, although the functionality is different. In TestStand, flags enumerations support bitwise semantics to specify combinations of enumerators. Non-flags enumerations do not support these semantics.