Preprocessor Directives
Preprocessor directives are instructions in programming languages, primarily in C and C++, that are processed by a preprocessor before the actual compilation of code. They are used to modify source code, include files, define macros, and conditionally compile sections of code based on specific conditions. This allows for code customization, modularity, and cross-platform compatibility without altering the core logic.
Developers should learn preprocessor directives when working with C or C++ to manage code complexity, enable conditional compilation for different platforms or configurations, and improve code reusability through macros and file inclusion. They are essential for tasks like debugging, optimizing performance, and handling platform-specific code variations, making them crucial for system-level programming and embedded development.