How Can I Detect C 11 Compiler Support at Compile Time?

Detecting C 11 Support at Compile-Time

In an era of evolving programming languages, ensuring compatibility with specific language features becomes crucial. C 11, a significant upgrade to C , introduced a plethora of new features. This article addresses how to ascertain whether a compiler supports certain aspects of C 11 during compilation.

Identifying Compiler Compatibility

The C standard defines a constant called __cplusplus to specify the supported C version. By comparing its value, developers can determine the level of C syntax and features compatible with the compiler.

For instance, to check if a compiler supports C 11, one could employ the following code:

#if __cplusplus <= 199711L
#error "Your compiler doesn't support C++11."
#else
// Code that requires C++11 features
#endif

This snippet throws a compilation error if the __cplusplus value is less than 199711L, indicating that the compiler does not support C 11.

Additional Considerations

While the __cplusplus constant provides a general indication of compiler support, it may not accurately reflect the availability of specific C 11 features. For instance, even if the compiler claims C 11 support, it might not implement all aspects of the standard.

In such cases, it becomes necessary to utilize other mechanisms. The Boost library, for example, offers C 11-related macros and definitions that enable developers to detect specific feature support. These macros ensure that code only executes when the necessary features are available, preventing compilation errors or runtime exceptions.

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