Is it possible to use #define from other cpp file?

Question

I think the preprocessor handles files one by one and I can't figure out how to do it with includes, so I think it's impossible, but it would be great to hear other's thoughts.

I have in a.cpp:

#define A 1

and I want to use it from 2.cpp.

EDIT: I cant modify first file. So for now i just have copied defines. But question still opened.

Answer 1

Defines inside a source file aren't seen by other translation units. Implementation files are compiled separately.

You can either

• put them in a header and include it
• use your compiler's options
• do it the sane way - extern const int A = 1; in an implementation file and declare it when you want to use it extern const int A;.

Of these, I'd say the first option is possibly the worst you can use.

Answer 2

If you want to share a define between two source files, move it to a header file and include that header from both source files.

mydefines.h:

#ifndef MY_DEFINES_H
#define MY_DEFINES_H

#define A (1)
// other defines go here

#endif // MY_DEFINES_H

source1.cpp:

#include "mydefines.h"
// rest of source file

source2.cpp:

#include "mydefines.h"
// rest of source file

You could also specify the define in the compiler command line. This can be fiddly to maintain for cross platform code (which may need different command lines for different compilers) though.