When Should You Still Use C Macros for Debugging?

When C Macros Reign Supreme: Practical Use Cases

Macros are often relegated to the shadow of safer alternatives in C , such as inline functions and templates. However, there are instances where macros retain their indispensability, particularly in specific scenarios that can't be effectively addressed without the preprocessor.

Debugging with Convenience

One of the most valuable uses of macros lies in enhancing debugging capabilities. By creating macros that wrap debug functions, developers can effortlessly pass essential debugging information such as the source file and line number. Consider the following macro:

#ifdef ( DEBUG )
#define M_DebugLog( msg )  std::cout << __FILE__ << ":" << __LINE__ << ": " << msg
#else
#define M_DebugLog( msg )
#endif

This macro enables developers to conveniently log debug messages with just a single function call, effectively eliminating the need for repetitive logging code. While alternatives like std::cerr and printf can achieve a similar effect, they require more boilerplate code, potentially cluttering the source code and reducing readability.

It's worth noting that C 20 introduces the powerful std::source_location type, which provides an alternative to FILE and LINE for more structured debugging. However, this feature remains a comparatively recent addition to the language, making macros a more widely accessible solution for these debugging needs.

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