how to use #ifdef with an OR condition?

How to Use #ifdef with an OR Condition?

🤔 Having trouble setting an OR condition in the #ifdef directive? No worries, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we'll help you understand the proper way to use the #ifdef directive with an OR condition in your code. Let's dive right in!

The Common Mistake

🙄 It's not uncommon to make mistakes when using the #ifdef directive with an OR condition. Take a look at the incorrect code below:

#ifdef LINUX | ANDROID
...
#endif

❌ Unfortunately, this approach won't work as expected. It's essential to understand the correct way to achieve the desired result.

The Correct Approach

✅ To correctly use an OR condition in the #ifdef directive, you need to use the defined operator in combination with multiple conditions. Here's the proper way to do it:

#if defined(LINUX) || defined(ANDROID)
...
#endif

✔️ By using the defined operator along with the logical OR operator (||), you can specify multiple conditions and include the desired code block only when any of those conditions is true.

👉 In the above sample code, the code block within ... will be executed if either LINUX or ANDROID is defined. Otherwise, it will be skipped.

🌟 Remember to replace ... with the code you want to be included when the condition is true. It could be a single line or multiple lines of code.

Examples and Explanations

📝 Let's take a closer look at some examples to understand how this works.

Example 1:

#if defined(LINUX) || defined(ANDROID)
    printf("This code will be executed on Linux or Android platforms.\n");
#endif

✔️ In this example, the message will be printed only if either LINUX or ANDROID is defined.

Example 2:

#if defined(PLATFORM_A) || defined(PLATFORM_B)
    printf("This code will be executed on Platform A or Platform B.\n");
#endif

✔️ In this case, the message will be printed if either PLATFORM_A or PLATFORM_B is defined.

Your Turn!

💡 Now that you understand how to use the #ifdef directive with an OR condition, it's your turn to apply this knowledge.

👉 Take a look at your codebase, identify the places where you need to include specific code for multiple conditions, and update them using the correct syntax we discussed.

📣 Feel free to share your experience in the comments section below! We'd love to hear about any challenges you faced or any other tips you have in this area.

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