CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++macrosc-preprocessor
Gibby
Gibby

Reputation: 458

C++ __COUNTER__ definition

I have two versions of a C++ compiler installed on my computer. One of them recognizes the __COUNTER__ macro and the other does not.

After doing some research to make the program compile in both, I have yet to come across the macro definition for __COUNTER__. Is this some special macro done by the compiler or can I copy the definition for __COUNTER__ into my source code? If I can copy it, what is the code I need?

Upvotes: 4

Views: 10281

Answers (2)

Jack
Jack

Reputation: 133609

It's a special macro which has been introduced by Visual Studio and I think is now supported by GCC too.

It basically provides a unique counter over integral numbers which can be used to generate unique identifiers.

From GCC release notes:

A new predefined macro __COUNTER__ has been added. It expands to sequential integral values starting from 0. In conjunction with the ## operator, this provides a convenient means to generate unique identifiers.

If you don't have it available to a compiler you can easily mimic the behavior with a static variable. But I'm not sure what you are compiling so I'm not sure how this counter is used in the code you have available.

Upvotes: 2

icktoofay
icktoofay

Reputation: 129109

__COUNTER__ is a built-in in several common compilers. It is not possible to define manually. If you're stuck with a compiler that doesn't support it, your best option might be to run your code through a preprocessor that does support it before feeding it into the compiler.

Upvotes: 10

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