What do you mean by preprocessor?

In computer science, a preprocessor (or precompiler) is a program that processes its input data to produce output that is used as input to another program. A common example from computer programming is the processing performed on source code before the next step of compilation.

What is preprocessor stage?

5.2. The preprocessing stage is the common stage for watermark embedding and extraction processes.

What is preprocessor and its advantages?

A preprocessor is a language that takes as input a text file written using some programming language syntax and output another text file following the syntax of another programming language. Advantages of preprocessor are that it makes- 1) the program easier to develop. 2) easier to read. 3) easier to modify.

What is a #include preprocessor?

The #include directive tells the C preprocessor to include the contents of the file specified in the input stream to the compiler and then continue with the rest of the original file. For example, the header file, file.h contains the following: char *func (void);

What are the advantages of C preprocessor?

1) the program easier to develop. 2) easier to read. 3) easier to modify. 4) C code more transportable between different machine architecture….

  • File inclusion.
  • Substitution facility.
  • Conditional compilation.

Why preprocessor is used in C?

The C preprocessor is a macro processor that is used automatically by the C compiler to transform your program before actual compilation. It is called a macro processor because it allows you to define macros, which are brief abbreviations for longer constructs.

Why is preprocessor needed?

Preprocessor directives, such as #define and #ifdef , are typically used to make source programs easy to change and easy to compile in different execution environments. Preprocessor lines are recognized and carried out before macro expansion.

What is the use of the preprocessor in C?

The C preprocessor is a macro processor that is used automatically by the C compiler to transform your program before actual compilation. It is called a macro processor because it allows you to define macros , which are brief abbreviations for longer constructs. The C preprocessor provides four separate facilities that you can use as you see fit:

What is the difference between a compiler and a preprocessor?

Compiler cares about the meaning of the tokens, while preprocessor only cares about their lexical form. For example, compiler distinguishes between identifiers and keywords, while preprocessor treats them all as identifiers; compiler distinguishes between operators and punctuators, while preprocessor groups them together.

What are preprocessor directives in C programming?

Preprocessor Directives – C Programming #include. The #include preprocessor directive is used to paste code of given file into current file. Macro’s (#define) Let’s start with macro, as we discuss, a macro is a segment of code which is replaced by the value of macro. #undef. To undefine a macro means to cancel its definition. #ifdef. #ifndef. #if. #else. #error. #pragma.

Is the C preprocessor a separate program?

The preprocessor provides the ability for the inclusion of header files, macro expansions, conditional compilation, and line control. The C Preprocessor is not a part of compiler, it is a separate program invoked by the compiler as the first part of translation.