createFlags

createFlags is a generic term used in programming to denote a function or utility that constructs a bit flag collection. Flags are typically represented as bits within an integer, where each bit indicates the presence or absence of a particular option. The createFlags function usually accepts one or more flag identifiers and returns a combined mask, often using bitwise OR operations.

In practice, createFlags enables concise and efficient handling of multiple options. Once created, a flag can be tested by applying a bitwise AND with the flag value; a nonzero result indicates the flag is set. Flags can be added or removed using OR or AND NOT respectively, and toggled with XOR. The design often emphasizes a stable underlying type (for example an unsigned integer) and a defined namespace for individual flag constants to preserve readability and compatibility. In many languages, language features provide built-in support for flag enums or bitflags, and createFlags may be provided as a convenience wrapper or constructor to assemble these masks safely.

C, C++, Java, C#, Go, and Rust ecosystems commonly use this pattern, though exact syntax differs. Challenges include ensuring that flags from different domains are not mixed, ensuring to document each bit's meaning, and avoiding unnecessary complexity as the number of flags grows. Alternatives include using sets or dictionaries to represent options, at the expense of performance and memory efficiency.