What is #pragma used for?

Question

Can anyone help me understand #pragma?

ifndef TARGET_OS_LINUX #pragma once endif 

What,when, where, why, an example?

The above is in some code that I am refactoring....

Answer 1

#pragma is just the prefix for a compiler-specific feature.

In this case, #pragma once means that this header file will only ever be included once in a specific destination file. It removes the need for include guards.

Answer 2

• What -- it is header guard. This file will be included only once.
• When -- at a compile process
• why -- to avoid double including.

"Header guards are little pieces of code that protect the contents of a header file from being included more than once."