Conditional Compilation (#ifdef, #ifndef, #else, #endif)

The preprocessor directives are used by the compiler to preprocess the source code before compiling it. The directive always begins with #, therefore the compiler prohibits using the symbol in names of variables, functions etc.

Each directive is described by a separate entry and is valid until the line break. You cannot use several directives in one entry. If the directive entry is too big, it can be broken into several lines using the '\' symbol. In this case, the next line is considered a continuation of the directive entry.

Preprocessor conditional compilation directives allow compiling or skipping a part of the program depending on the fulfillment of a certain condition.

That condition can take one of the following forms.

Any of the conditional compilation directives can be followed by any number of lines possibly containing #else directive and ending with #endif. If the verified condition is true, the lines between #else and #endif are ignored. If the verified condition is not fulfilled, all lines between checking and #else directive (or #endif directive if the former is absent) are ignored.

Example:

Depending on the program type and compilation mode, the standard macros are defined the following way:

__MQL5__  macro is defined when compiling *.mq5 file, __MQL4__ macro is defined when compiling *.mq4 one.
_DEBUG macro is defined when compiling in debug mode.
_RELEASE macro is defined when compiling in release mode.

Example: