What does the [Flags] Enum Attribute mean in C#?

Question

From time to time I see an enum like the following:

[Flags]
public enum Options 
{
    None    = 0,
    Option1 = 1,
    Option2 = 2,
    Option3 = 4,
    Option4 = 8
}

I don't understand what exactly the [Flags]-attribute does.

Anyone have a good explanation or example they could post?

Answer 1

@Nidonocu

To add another flag to an existing set of values, use the OR assignment operator.

Mode = Mode.Read;
//Add Mode.Write
Mode |= Mode.Write;
Assert.True(((Mode & Mode.Write) == Mode.Write)
  && ((Mode & Mode.Read) == Mode.Read)));

Answer 2

I asked recently about something similar.

If you use flags you can add an extension method to enums to make checking the contained flags easier (see post for detail)

This allows you to do:

[Flags]
public enum PossibleOptions : byte
{
    None = 0,
    OptionOne = 1,
    OptionTwo = 2,
    OptionThree = 4,
    OptionFour = 8,

    //combinations can be in the enum too
    OptionOneAndTwo = OptionOne | OptionTwo,
    OptionOneTwoAndThree = OptionOne | OptionTwo | OptionThree,
    ...
}

Then you can do:

PossibleOptions opt = PossibleOptions.OptionOneTwoAndThree 

if( opt.IsSet( PossibleOptions.OptionOne ) ) {
    //optionOne is one of those set
}

I find this easier to read than the most ways of checking the included flags.

Answer 3

Please see the following for an example which shows the declaration and potential usage:

namespace Flags
{
    class Program
    {
        [Flags]
        public enum MyFlags : short
        {
            Foo = 0x1,
            Bar = 0x2,
            Baz = 0x4
        }

        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            MyFlags fooBar = MyFlags.Foo | MyFlags.Bar;

            if ((fooBar & MyFlags.Foo) == MyFlags.Foo)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Item has Foo flag set");
            }
        }
    }
}

Answer 4

In extension to the accepted answer, in C#7 the enum flags can be written using binary literals:

[Flags]
public enum MyColors
{
    None   = 0b0000,
    Yellow = 0b0001,
    Green  = 0b0010,
    Red    = 0b0100,
    Blue   = 0b1000
}

I think this representation makes it clear how the flags work under the covers.

Answer 5

Flags allow you to use bitmasking inside your enumeration. This allows you to combine enumeration values, while retaining which ones are specified.

[Flags]
public enum DashboardItemPresentationProperties : long
{
    None = 0,
    HideCollapse = 1,
    HideDelete = 2,
    HideEdit = 4,
    HideOpenInNewWindow = 8,
    HideResetSource = 16,
    HideMenu = 32
}