Why Did a Programmer Use a Macro to Add Missing Braces?

Extreme Macros/Preprocessor Abuse: A Cautionary Tale

Macros and preprocessors play a crucial role in programming, but their abuse can lead to disastrous consequences. Here's a notorious real-world example that exemplifies the dangers of excessive macros usage.

The Case of Missing Braces

In a certain codebase, a programmer from Russia employed a peculiar macro:

#define RETURN(result) return (result);}

This macro automatically added a closing brace to any function where it was used. However, due to its unorthodox syntax, the code resembled this:

int myfunction1(args) {
    int x = 0;
    // do something
    RETURN(x)  // No closing brace here!
}

This resulted in syntax errors and a complete inability for syntax highlighting to function properly. The programmer's motivation for such a drastic measure was an obsessive desire to conserve memory, a habit ingrained from working with satellite systems with extremely limited resources.

Other Eccentricities

Beyond the missing braces, this programmer exhibited other unusual practices:

• A convex mirror above his monitor for "knowing who is watching"
• Quick bursts of pushups as "punishments" for compiler errors

A Lesson in Moderation

This extreme case highlights the potential pitfalls of macro abuse. While macros can provide occasional benefits (such as code size reduction or conditional compilation), excessive usage can lead to unreadable and error-prone code. Programmers should strive for clarity and maintainability, balancing the advantages of macros with the risks they pose.

A Rare Case of Macro Excellence

In contrast to the above example, there are instances where macros can be genuinely beneficial. One such case is in defining constants or platform-specific configurations that remain consistent across multiple translation units. By using a macro, developers can enforce these definitions without repeated inclusion of header files.

By understanding both the powers and perils of macros, programmers can harness their capabilities responsibly, avoiding pitfalls like the infamous "missing braces" scenario while taking advantage of their strengths when appropriate.

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