Here's a request for an extension to ENUM_VALUES for you to consider. I need to use BOOST_ENUM_VALUES with type std::size_t so I can use the method 'value' and use the result as an index to a vector. I would also like to have an end-user readable description for the enumeration value. Currently I hold this in a separate class that maps enumeration values to descriptions. From what I understand, the enumeration tags have to be C++ names so no spaces are allowed whereas end-users don't usually like CamelCase (or whatever) unspaced C++ names. Here's an example: BOOST_ENUM_VALUES_DESCRIPTIONS(BlockType_t, std::size_t, (SampleIfg)(0)("Sample Interferogram") (SampleSpec)(1)("Sample Spectrum") (SamplePhase)(2)("Sample Phase") (RefIfg)(3)("Reference Interferogram")) And then a method something like: const char* description() const; Would anyone else find this useful?