[taeric]

I don't disagree, I don't think. Just wanting to float a reason simpler enums are usually preferred. In particular, you likely want to use the enum to restrict what values you will introduce into a system. You often, sadly, cannot use them to restrict what values are actually there. Which is why the place you pass them will see the raw int.

[eptcyka]

Yeah, but then should structs ever have a bounded size? Someone might well have gone and done did added a couple of fields to a struct over the wire.

[taeric]

I think I touched on what I feel is the right answer here. The data is separate from the enum. That part is clear and I don't think anyone really disagrees.

What, then, is the enum for? It is specifically to restrict what your code will do. To that end, it is a good way to restrict data your code can introduce. It is not a restriction on what is happening outside of your code, though.

You can, of course, make similar arguments for structs. Or really any data in the code. How do you know your number won't go over some arbitrary size?

Enums are, largely, the most restrictive data in code. Which is why we discuss them more, I think. If folks did work with more big numbers, I'm sure we would be more curious on why things don't act like common lisp where big numbers basically work with no extra work.