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16 Lesson 16 Preprocessor Directives

The document explains preprocessor directives in programming, which begin with the '#' symbol and are processed before program execution. It covers three main directives: #include for loading header files, #define for creating symbolic constants, and macros for formulas, with examples provided for each. The document advises caution when using macros to avoid unexpected results and suggests placing formulas directly in the calculation section of the code.

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11 views3 pages

16 Lesson 16 Preprocessor Directives

The document explains preprocessor directives in programming, which begin with the '#' symbol and are processed before program execution. It covers three main directives: #include for loading header files, #define for creating symbolic constants, and macros for formulas, with examples provided for each. The document advises caution when using macros to avoid unexpected results and suggests placing formulas directly in the calculation section of the code.

Uploaded by

sdw7rk7wdv
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Preprocessor Directives or commands (Video)

• Preprocessor directives starts with the symbol #


• No semicolon after the preprocessor statement
o #include<stdio.h>
• They are processed before the program runs

There are 3 directives

1. #include – loads in needed header files

2. symbolic constants – identifier for a value


o #define NUM 10
o Note that the variable name NUM is in caps, by convention the
variable names are caps.
o They are called symbolic constants because of text substitution is
done before program runs.
o See the lesson on variables on constants pages 3 and 4 which
explains the #define
Example program

#include<stdio.h>
#define NUM 10
#define TAXRATE 8.75

int main()
{
//Declaration of variables
int quantity, value;
float price, tax;

//data/input
value = 5;
price = 10;

//Calculation/Processing

tax = TAXRATE / 100 * price;

quantity = NUM + 3;

value = value * TAXRATE/100;

//output
printf("The tax is $%.2f\n", tax);
printf("The quantity is %d\n", quantity);
printf("The value is %f\n", value);

return 0;
}

Use symbolic constants for example like tax rates, because tax rates seldom
change.
3. Macro – identifier for a formula
o #define SUM (a + b + c)
o text substitution is done before program runs.

Example program

#include<stdio.h>
#define SUM (a + b + c)
#define AVG SUM / (float)3

int main()
{
//Declaration of variables
int a, b, c;

//data/input
printf("Enter 3 numbers : ");
scanf("%d%d%d", &a, &b, &c);

//output
printf("The sum is %d\n", SUM);
printf("The average is %f\n", AVG);

return 0;
}

Be careful when you use macro as it may give you unexpected results. For this
class, you should avoid using macros and put your formulas in the program where
it should belong in the calculation section.

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