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Is there a way to create a custom preprocessor directive in C# to influence on the process of compilation? If there's no built-in support for defining a new directive, could you suggest a workaround to simulate similar behaviour?

NamiraJV
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  • Are you saying you want a new directive like `#doSpecalStuff` or do you mean something like `#if MY_DIRECTIVE` and you want to define `MY_DIRECTIVE`? – Scott Chamberlain Dec 03 '16 at 20:01
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    No, there's nothing like that. It's very hard to suggest a workaround with no clue what kind of behavioral change you're trying to make. – Jon Skeet Dec 03 '16 at 20:02
  • @scott-chamberlain, yes, you understand it completely right. I actually want to create a new directive. – NamiraJV Dec 03 '16 at 20:08
  • @NamiraJV Okay - what do you want this new directive to do? – jdphenix Dec 03 '16 at 20:09
  • Then how do you expect us to give you a work around if you have not explained the behavior you want to do? – Scott Chamberlain Dec 03 '16 at 20:09
  • @jon-skeet, I want to make compiler generate some code depending on the directive and its parameters – NamiraJV Dec 03 '16 at 20:10
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    So you want to have some token that means "given these parameters, do this thing". Why is a function call not appropriate here? – jdphenix Dec 03 '16 at 20:11
  • It sounds like either you should be writing regular code, or modifying the compiler itself. There's nothing like general purpose macros in C#. – Jon Skeet Dec 03 '16 at 20:14
  • For example, OpenMP for C/C++ uses the form of directives to provide its functionality. I was just wondering if we can implement an API in that kind of fashion. – NamiraJV Dec 03 '16 at 20:18
  • Well, nobody's preventing you from writing your own compiler. That's how custom compilation is done. Or just use a code generator, if that makes sense. – Luaan Dec 03 '16 at 20:20

1 Answers1

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No you cannot do that in c#. Here is a list of all directives.

Alternative you maybe can work with the following directives:

You can add defines to the processor like this:

#define xx

And check for them like this

#if (xx)
    Console.WriteLine("xx defined");  
#else  
    Console.WriteLine("xx not defined");  
#endif

If you are working with roslyn take a look at this interesting article but be carefull with what you do.

Or take a look at this SO Article which shows you how to implement your custom syntax with the roslyn scripting api.

Community
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NtFreX
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