What are macros? what are its advantages and disadvantages?

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What are macros? what are its advantages and disadvantages?

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A macro is a name given to a block of C statements as a pre-processor directive. Being a pre-processor, the block of code is communicated to the compiler before entering into the actual coding (main () function). A macro is defined with the preprocessor directive, #define.

The advantage of using macro is the execution speed of the program fragment. When the actual code snippet is to be used, it can be substituted by the name of the macro. The same block of statements, on the other hand, need to be repeatedly hard coded as and when required.

The disadvantage of the macro is the size of the program. The reason is, the pre-processor will replace all the macros in the program by its real definition prior to the compilation process of the program.

Describe the advantages of using macro.

A macro is a name given to a block of the code which can be substituted where the code snippet is to be used for more than once.

  • The speed of the execution of the program is the major advantage of using a macro.

  • It saves a lot of time that is spent by the compiler for invoking / calling the functions.

  • It reduces the length of the program.