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Much has been written over the years on implementing parsers, but the C preprocessor is not quite the same as any of the stages of a typical parser, and implementation thereof doubtless has its share of particular pitfalls to watch out for. Does anyone know of anything written on the topic of implementing a C preprocessor?
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The C preprocessor is a macro processor that is used automatically by the C compiler to transform your program before actual compilation. It is called a macro processor because it allows you to define macros, which are brief abbreviations for longer constructs.
The C preprocessor is a macro preprocessor (allows you to define macros) that transforms your program before it is compiled. These transformations can be the inclusion of header files, macro expansions, etc. All preprocessing directives begin with a # symbol. For example, #define PI 3.14.
In simple terms, a C Preprocessor is just a text substitution tool and it instructs the compiler to do required pre-processing before the actual compilation. We'll refer to the C Preprocessor as CPP. All preprocessor commands begin with a hash symbol (#).
The C preprocessor is a micro processor that is used by compiler to transform your code before compilation. It is called micro preprocessor because it allows us to add macros.
Hartmut Kaiser, the author of Boost Wave, wrote a nice article on CodeProject http://www.codeproject.com/KB/recipes/wave_preprocessor.aspx about the Boost Wave project. You can use Boost Wave to make your own C preprocessor with custom extensions.
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