How to have different Headers in different platforms? [duplicate]

Question

I am pretty new with C++, and I have a file I have to build both in Linux and Windows.

I was wondering if there was a way I could have different list of #include in the same file for windows and linux, but that somehow I tell it to do so without having to modify the file each time.

Like:

if_Windows
    #include <Include1>
if_Linux
    #include <Include2>

Is it possible to do something like this? How do you do it?

Answer 1

You could define a macro that you set when you are compiling for windows and Linux.

#define MYPROJECT_CONFIG_WINDOWS_PLATFORM

#if defined(MYPROJECT_CONFIG_WINDOWS_PLATFORM)
    #include <include1>
#elif defined(MYPROJECT_CONFIG_LINUX_PLATFORM)
    #include <include2>
#else
    #error link: no suitable library
#endif

All you then have to do is define MYPROJECT_CONFIG_WINDOWS_PLATFORM when compiling for Window and MYPROJECT_CONFIG_LINUX_PLATFORM when compiling for Linux.

Some IDEs also have pre-set macros for the platform they are compiling for (Like WIN32 for Windows) but you will have to check the documentation for them.

Answer 2

You need to use #ifdef in combination with an appropriate macro for you environment. For example

#ifdef WIN32
 // Windows includes
#elseif __unix__
 // Unix included
#endif

You'll need to check your compiler documentation to see what they define for the appropriate platform.