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What is difference between enum vs const?

enum EColors {
    Red = 'red',
    Green = 'green',
    Blue = 'blue',
}

const COLORS = {
    Red: 'red',
    Green: 'green',
    Blue: 'blue',
} as const;

There are some differences between using an enum and a const object to define a set of related values in TypeScript:

  • Naming: An enum allows you to define a set of named values, while a const object allows you to define an object with a fixed set of properties and values. An enum can be easier to read and understand, as it provides a clear and concise way to represent a set of related values, while a const object can be more verbose and less intuitive, as it requires you to define the properties and values of the object explicitly.
  • Values: An enum assigns default values to its constants, which are typically numbers starting from 0, but you can also specify custom values for the constants if needed. A const object does not assign any values to its properties, and you have to specify the values of the properties explicitly.
  • Type compatibility: An enum is a type in TypeScript, and it can be used as a type parameter, a type argument, a function return type, or a variable type. A const object is not a type in TypeScript, and it cannot be used in these contexts. Instead, you can use the type of the properties of a const object, or create an interface or a type alias to represent the structure of the object.