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Subject: Re: enable/disable code

Author: Miguel A. Ballicora

Date: 10:23:30 07/22/02

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On July 22, 2002 at 04:01:23, Steffen Jakob wrote:

>On July 21, 2002 at 21:36:53, Miguel A. Ballicora wrote:
>>
>>>1)How do I add a code with compiler switch?
>>>
>>you define a variable like this:
>>
>>#define HASH_PRUNE
>>
>>and then you do
>>
>>
>>#if defined(HASH_PRUNE)
>>    code_1();
>>#else
>>    code_2();
>>#endif
>>
>>code_1() is compiled and NOT code_2(). Also valid options are
>>
>>#ifdef HASH_PRUNE
>>    code_1();
>>#else
>>    code_2();
>>#endif
>>
>>or
>>
>>#if defined(HASH_PRUNE)
>>     optional_code();
>>#endif
>
>The problem with that approach is that you actually have two different programs.
>If you work for a long time with a switch enabled its likely that your code wont
>compile if you disable the switch. A better solution in many cases is to use a
>const boolean expression. You favourite compiler will skip the code if the
>expression is false.

Yes, some people prefer the approach you mention. As always, there are
advantages and disadvantages. A very good thing about your approach is that the
syntax is always checked. That is VERY GOOD but the problem is that some
compilers complain about an "if with a constant value". I prefer to set the
warnings to the maximum level and use the preprocessor approach.
On the other hand, for portability purposes I like the preprocessor approach
because the syntax in one branchwill be wrong and the compiler will complain
about things that are not portable.

Regards,
Miguel

>
>Example:
>
>const bool HASH_PRUNE = true;
>
>if (HASH_PRUNE) {
>    code_1();
>} else {
>    code_2();
>}
>
>This doesnt work of course if you want to modify structs depending on such a
>const.
>
>Greetings,
>Steffen.



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