Skip to main content
USENIX
  • Conferences
  • Students
Sign in

connect with us


  •  Twitter
  •  Facebook
  •  LinkedIn
  •  Google+
  •  YouTube

twitter

Tweets by @usenix

usenix conference policies

  • Event Code of Conduct
  • Conference Network Policy
  • Statement on Environmental Responsibility Policy

You are here

Home ยป #ifdef Considered Harmful, or Portability Experience with C News
Tweet

connect with us

#ifdef Considered Harmful, or Portability Experience with C News

Authors: 

Henry Spencer, University of Toronto; Geoff Collyer, Software Tool & Die

Abstract: 

We believe that a C programmer's impulse to use #ifdef in an attempt at portability is usually a mistake. Portability is generally the result of advance planning rather than trench warfare involving #ifdef. In the course of developing C News on different systems, we evolved various tactics for dealing with differences among systems without producing a welter of #ifdef at points of difference. We discuss the alternatives to, and occasional proper use of, #ifdef.

Henry Spencer, University of Toronto

Geoff Collyer, Software Tool & Die

Links

Paper: 
http://usenix.org/publications/library/proceedings/sa92/spencer.pdf
  • Log in or    Register to post comments

© USENIX

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us