Q_ENUM(enum_name) works with only enums declared inside class. srsly?

[Kofr]

Let's look at example from documentation which is copied next.

class Message : public QObject
 {
     Q_OBJECT
     Q_ENUMS(Status)
     Q_PROPERTY(Status status READ status NOTIFY statusChanged)
 public:
     enum Status {
         Ready,
         Loading,
         Error
     };
     Status status() const;
 signals:
     void statusChanged();
 };

In this example we declare our enumeration declared inside class with Q_ENUM(). It is ok. But what if we want to use Globally declared enumeration. Qt gives errors. How can we achieve operating with enumerations declared outside the class?

[SGaist]

Hi,

You can't, Q_ENUMS need a meta object provided either by the QObject class or the Q_GADGET macro

[dethtoll]

This is an old topic, but still comes up as one of the first Google results. I just wanted to add:

If the main goal is to use the enum as a property, it is sufficient to just use Q_DECLARE_METATYPE after the globally-declared enumeration.

If you need the other conveniences of Q_ENUM, then SGaist's reply applies.

[raven-worx]

@Kofr said in Q_ENUM(enum_name) works with only enums declared inside class. srsly?:

How can we achieve operating with enumerations declared outside the class?

This is possible since Qt 5.8 where the Q_NAMESPACE macro was introduced. This enables the generation of a MOC object also for namespaces.

namespace MyNamespace
{
    Q_NAMESPACE
 
    enum MyEnum {
        Foo,
        Bar
    };
    Q_ENUM_NS(MyEnum)
}

Note the Q_ENUM_NS macro here. There is also a Q_FLAG_NS macro available.

[Drake Campbell]

Let me know if this question does not belong on this post. I am on Windows 10 and my project configuration is set to use Qt 5.11.0 MSVC2015 64 bit. I created a new Qt Quick application and copy pasted the namespace deceleration as posted by raven-worx and compiled. I get the following errors which disappear if I remove the Q_NAMESPACE and Q_ENUM_NS statements.

qtprojects\QEnum\myenum.h:7: error: C2143: syntax error: missing ';' before 'enum [tag]'
qtprojects\QEnum\myenum.h:8: error: C4430: missing type specifier - int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
qtprojects\QEnum\myenum.h:13: error: C2143: syntax error: missing ';' before '}'
qtprojects\QEnum\myenum.h:13: error: C4430: missing type specifier - int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
QTProjects\build-QEnum-Desktop_Qt_5_11_0_MSVC2015_64bit-Debug\debug\moc_myenum.cpp:65: error: C2039: 'staticMetaObject': is not a member of 'Enums'
qtprojects\QEnum\myenum.h:4: see declaration of 'Enums'

I am also new so I feel like I may be missing something simple. The only things that exist are the default main.cpp and main.qml and a header file with the above pasted code. Thanks in advance.

[Judit]

You need to include QObject to make it work