# Conditional inclusion

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The preprocessor supports conditional compilation of parts of source file. This behavior is controlled by `#if`, `#else`, `#elif`, `#ifdef`, `#ifndef`, `#elifdef`, `#elifndef` (since C++23), and `#endif` directives.

### Syntax

`#if` expression |  |
`#ifdef` identifier |  |
`#ifndef` identifier |  |
`#elif` expression |  |
`#elifdef` identifier |  | (since C++23)
`#elifndef` identifier |  | (since C++23)
`#else` |  |
`#endif` |  |

### Explanation

The conditional preprocessing block starts with `#if`, `#ifdef` or `#ifndef` directive, then optionally includes any number of `#elif`, `#elifdef`, or `#elifndef` (since C++23) directives, then optionally includes at most one `#else` directive and is terminated with `#endif` directive. Any inner conditional preprocessing blocks are processed separately.

Each of `#if`, `#ifdef`, `#ifndef`, `#elif`, `#elifdef`, `#elifndef` (since C++23), and `#else` directives control the code block until the first `#elif`, `#elifdef`, `#elifndef` (since C++23), `#else`, `#endif` directive not belonging to any inner conditional preprocessing blocks.

`#if`, `#ifdef` and `#ifndef` directives test the specified condition (see below) and if it evaluates to true, compiles the controlled code block. In that case subsequent `#else`, `#elifdef`, `#elifndef`, (since C++23) and `#elif` directives are ignored. Otherwise, if the specified condition evaluates false, the controlled code block is skipped and the subsequent `#else`, `#elifdef`, `#elifndef`, (since C++23) or `#elif` directive (if any) is processed. If the subsequent directive is `#else`, the code block controlled by the `#else` directive is unconditionally compiled. Otherwise, the `#elif`, `#elifdef`, or `#elifndef` (since C++23) directive acts as if it was `#if` directive: checks for condition, compiles or skips the controlled code block based on the result, and in the latter case processes subsequent `#elif`, `#elifdef`, `#elifndef`, (since C++23) and `#else` directives. The conditional preprocessing block is terminated by `#endif` directive.

### Condition evaluation

#### #if, #elif

The expression may contain:

- unary operators in form `defined` identifier or `defined (`identifier`)`. The result is 1 if the identifier was defined as a macro name, otherwise the result is ​0​. `__has_include` and `__has_cpp_attribute` (since C++20) are treated as if they were the names of defined macros in this context. (since C++17)
- (since C++17) `__has_include` expressions, which detects whether a header or source file exists.
- (since C++20) `__has_cpp_attribute` expressions, which detects whether a given attribute token is supported and its supported version.

After all macro expansion and evaluation of `defined`, `__has_include` (since C++17), and `__has_cpp_attribute` (since C++20) expressions, any identifier which is not a boolean literal is replaced with the number ​0​ (this includes identifiers that are lexically keywords, but not alternative tokens like and).

Then the expression is evaluated as an integral constant expression.

If the expression evaluates to nonzero value, the controlled code block is included and skipped otherwise.

Note: Until the resolution of CWG issue 1955, `#if cond1` ... `#elif cond2` is different from `#if cond1` ... `#else` followed by `#if cond2` because if `cond1` is true, the second `#if` is skipped and `cond2` does not need to be well-formed, while `#elif`'s `cond2` must be a valid expression. As of CWG 1955, `#elif` that leads the skipped code block is also skipped.

#### Combined directives

Checks if the identifier was defined as a macro name.

`#ifdef` identifier is essentially equivalent to `#if defined` identifier.

`#ifndef` identifier is essentially equivalent to `#if !defined` identifier.

`#elifdef` identifier is essentially equivalent to `#elif defined` identifier. `#elifndef` identifier is essentially equivalent to `#elif !defined` identifier. | (since C++23)

### Notes

While `#elifdef` and `#elifndef` directives target C++23, implementations are encouraged to backport them to the older language modes as conforming extensions.

### Example

Run this code

    #define ABCD 2
    #include <iostream>

    int main()
    {

    #ifdef ABCD
        std::cout << "1: yes\n";
    #else
        std::cout << "1: no\n";
    #endif

    #ifndef ABCD
        std::cout << "2: no1\n";
    #elif ABCD == 2
        std::cout << "2: yes\n";
    #else
        std::cout << "2: no2\n";
    #endif

    #if !defined(DCBA) && (ABCD < 2*4-3)
        std::cout << "3: yes\n";
    #endif

    // Note that if a compiler does not support C++23's #elifdef/#elifndef
    // directives then the "unexpected" block (see below) will be selected.
    #ifdef CPU
        std::cout << "4: no1\n";
    #elifdef GPU
        std::cout << "4: no2\n";
    #elifndef RAM
        std::cout << "4: yes\n"; // expected block
    #else
        std::cout << "4: no!\n"; // unexpectedly selects this block by skipping
                                 // unknown directives and "jumping" directly
                                 // from "#ifdef CPU" to this "#else" block
    #endif

    // To fix the problem above we may conditionally define the
    // macro ELIFDEF_SUPPORTED only if the C++23 directives
    // #elifdef/#elifndef are supported.
    #if 0
    #elifndef UNDEFINED_MACRO
    #define ELIFDEF_SUPPORTED
    #else
    #endif

    #ifdef ELIFDEF_SUPPORTED
        #ifdef CPU
            std::cout << "4: no1\n";
        #elifdef GPU
            std::cout << "4: no2\n";
        #elifndef RAM
            std::cout << "4: yes\n"; // expected block
        #else
            std::cout << "4: no3\n";
        #endif
    #else // when #elifdef unsupported use old verbose `#elif defined`
        #ifdef CPU
            std::cout << "4: no1\n";
        #elif defined GPU
            std::cout << "4: no2\n";
        #elif !defined RAM
            std::cout << "4: yes\n"; // expected block
        #else
            std::cout << "4: no3\n";
        #endif
    #endif
    }

Possible output:

    1: yes
    2: yes
    3: yes
    4: no!
    4: yes

### Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior
--- | --- | --- | ---
CWG 1955 | C++98 | failed #elif's expression was required to be valid | failed #elif is skipped

### See also

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