Difference between preprocessor directives #if and

Question

What is the difference (if any) between the two following preprocessor control statements.

#if

and

#ifdef

Answer 1

#ifdef FOO

is a shortcut for:

#if defined(FOO)

#if can also be used for other tests or for more complex preprocessor conditions.

#if defined(FOO) || defined(BAR)

Answer 2

You can demonstrate the difference by doing:

#define FOO 0
#if FOO
  // won't compile this
#endif
#ifdef FOO
  // will compile this
#endif

#if checks for the value of the symbol, while #ifdef checks the existence of the symbol (regardless of its value).