Why are #ifndef and #define used in C++ header files?

Question

I have been seeing code like this usually in the start of header files:

#ifndef HEADERFILE_H #define HEADERFILE_H 

And at the end of the file is

#endif 

What is the purpose of this?

Answer 1

Those are called #include guards.

Once the header is included, it checks if a unique value (in this case HEADERFILE_H) is defined. Then if it's not defined, it defines it and continues to the rest of the page.

When the code is included again, the first ifndef fails, resulting in a blank file.

That prevents double declaration of any identifiers such as types, enums and static variables.