Functions and Directives Functions and Directives

Directive #ifndef Foundation

Compiles code when a symbol is not defined

Syntax
#ifndef <Symbol>
   <SourceCode>...
[ #else
   <SourceCode>...
]
#endif
Parameters
<Symbol>
<Symbol> designates a preprocessor constant that, if not defined, causes a section of code to be recognized by the preprocessor.
Description

The directives #ifndef...#else...#endif form a control structure for the preprocessor. When the preprocessor constant <Symbol> has not been defined previous to the preprocessor encountering the #ifndef directive, the preprocessor translates and outputs the source code located between the directives #ifndef and #elseto the intermediary file. If no #else directive is present, the preprocessor translates and outputs the source code located between the directives #ifndef and #endif.

#ifndef provides support for conditional compilation. The preprocessor translates the source code subsequent to the directive #ifndef only when the preprocessor constant <Symbol> has not been previously defined. If this constant has been defined the preprocessor translates the source code which is between the #elseand #endif directives. Whichever block of code the preprocessor ignores does not get translated and output to the intermediary file, and thus does not get compiled.

Examples
#ifndef used to implement language versions 
// The example shows how different language versions can be 
// generated for a program depending on a preprocessor constant. 
// The program example would be compiled as a German version. 
// It also shows how to ensure that a constant is defined. 

#define GERMAN_LANGUAGE 

PROCEDURE Main 

   #ifndef GERMAN_LANGUAGE 
      ? "This is the English version of the program" 
   #else 
      ? "Das ist die deutsche Version des Programms" 
   #endif 

   #ifndef LOGIN_PATH 
      #define  LOGIN_PATH    CurDirectory() 
   #endif 

   USE ( LOGIN_PATH+ "\LOGBOOK" ) NEW 

RETURN
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