How to use enums as flags in C++?

Note (also a bit off topic): Another way to make unique flags can be done using a bit shift. I, myself, find this easier to read.

enum Flags
{
    A = 1 << 0, // binary 0001
    B = 1 << 1, // binary 0010
    C = 1 << 2, // binary 0100
    D = 1 << 3  // binary 1000
};

It can hold values up to an int so that is, most of the time, 32 flags which is clearly reflected in the shift amount.

For lazy people like me, here is templated solution to copy&paste:

template<class T> inline T operator~ (T a) { return (T)~(int)a; }
template<class T> inline T operator| (T a, T b) { return (T)((int)a | (int)b); }
template<class T> inline T operator& (T a, T b) { return (T)((int)a & (int)b); }
template<class T> inline T operator^ (T a, T b) { return (T)((int)a ^ (int)b); }
template<class T> inline T& operator|= (T& a, T b) { return (T&)((int&)a |= (int)b); }
template<class T> inline T& operator&= (T& a, T b) { return (T&)((int&)a &= (int)b); }
template<class T> inline T& operator^= (T& a, T b) { return (T&)((int&)a ^= (int)b); }

The "correct" way is to define bit operators for the enum, as:

enum AnimalFlags
{
    HasClaws   = 1,
    CanFly     = 2,
    EatsFish   = 4,
    Endangered = 8
};

inline AnimalFlags operator|(AnimalFlags a, AnimalFlags b)
{
    return static_cast<AnimalFlags>(static_cast<int>(a) | static_cast<int>(b));
}

Etc. rest of the bit operators. Modify as needed if the enum range exceeds int range.

Note if you are working in Windows environment, there is a DEFINE_ENUM_FLAG_OPERATORS macro defined in winnt.h that does the job for you. So in this case, you can do this:

enum AnimalFlags
{
    HasClaws = 1,
    CanFly =2,
    EatsFish = 4,
    Endangered = 8
};
DEFINE_ENUM_FLAG_OPERATORS(AnimalFlags)

seahawk.flags = CanFly | EatsFish | Endangered;