compiler directive, conditional compile.

[tgreer]

I'm writing an application that must get certain values passed in via environment variables. (Yeah, I know about app.config, but the customer requires I integrate the app into a workflow where they use batch files to set environment variables.)

When debugging, these variables of course are not set, so I hardcode them. I can forsee myself forgetting to comment-out these lines. Is there a compiler directive to conditionally compile code segments? I can see that through the Configuration Manager, there is a "debug" environment. Can that be used to say "if (debug)"?

Or, is there a better way to manage this situation?



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

 

[chiph]

The conditional compilation directives are similar to those in C/C++

#if
#else / #elif
#endif

So you'd do a #if debug [...] #endif

It's probably case-sensitive.

Chip H.


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[tgreer]

Thanks. The DEBUG constant needs to be "on" in the Configuration Manager, as well, I've learned.



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

 

[tgreer]

Well, that isn't quite it. My "#if (DEBUG)" always evaluates to true, even when I'm not debugging. I guess I don't quite know how to use the Configuration Manager.

I see two Configuration profiles, "Debug" and "Release". There are constances I can define for both of them. The constant I want in the "Debug" configuration is "DEBUG". Ok so far.

However, apparently I need to make the proper Configuration "active" each time I compile. That's what I wanted to avoid. If I have to remember to do that, then I might as well remember to comment-out the code segment in question each time I compile.

I don't see how the compiler-directive SAVES me any steps. Either remember to comment-out code, or remember to switch Configuration.

Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

 

[chiph]

However, apparently I need to make the proper Configuration "active" each time I compile.

Yes, that's how Microsoft has had it designed since Visual Studio 5, at least.

Chip H.


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[tgreer]

I missed all of that. I haven't used a Microsoft IDE since VB 3.0.

I understand the need to differentiate between a Debug and a Release version. However, I need to further differentiate between a "Debug" version being run inside (actively debugging) and outside of Visual Studio.



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com

 

[misterstick]

When debugging, these variables of course are not set

why would that be, then? is your pc locked down?

even if it is, you can set system-wide temp variables.

you could even do it from a batch file

mr s. <

 

[chiph]

It looks as if your managed program is being debugged by a managed debugger (.net debugging another .net program), there's no way to tell this. If it were a win32 debugger, yes. But running a win32 debugger against a managed executable would be extremely painful.

http://blogs.msdn.com/jmstall/archive/2005/09/20/remote_managed_debugger_attached.aspx

Chip H.


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