Stringizing Operator (#)

The number-sign or "stringizing" operator (#) converts macro parameters to string literals without expanding the parameter definition. It is used only with macros that take arguments. If it precedes a formal parameter in the macro definition, the actual argument passed by the macro invocation is enclosed in quotation marks and treated as a string literal. The string literal then replaces each occurrence of a combination of the stringizing operator and formal parameter within the macro definition.

White space preceding the first token of the actual argument and following the last token of the actual argument is ignored. Any white space between the tokens in the actual argument is reduced to a single white space in the resulting string literal. Thus, if a comment occurs between two tokens in the actual argument, it is reduced to a single white space. The resulting string literal is automatically concatenated with any adjacent string literals from which it is separated only by white space.

Further, if a character contained in the argument usually requires an escape sequence when used in a string literal (for example, the quotation mark (") or backslash (\) character), the necessary escape backslash is automatically inserted before the character.

The Visual C++ stringizing operator may not behave as expected in all situations; see 16.3.2 The # Operator for more information.

Example

The following example shows a macro definition that includes the stringizing operator and a main function that invokes the macro:

Such invocations would be expanded during preprocessing, producing the following code:

int main() {
   printf_s( "In quotes in the printf function call\n" "\n" );
   printf_s( "\"In quotes when printed to the screen\"\n" "\n" );
   printf_s( "\"This: \\\" prints an escaped double quote\"" "\n" );
}

// stringizer.cpp
#include <stdio.h>
#define stringer( x ) printf_s( #x "\n" )
int main() {
   stringer( In quotes in the printf function call ); 
   stringer( "In quotes when printed to the screen" );   
   stringer( "This: \"  prints an escaped double quote" );
}

In quotes in the printf function call
"In quotes when printed to the screen"
"This: \"  prints an escaped double quote"

The following sample shows how you can expand a macro parameter:

// stringizer_2.cpp
// compile with: /E
#define F abc
#define B def
#define FB(arg) #arg
#define FB1(arg) FB(arg)
FB(F B)
FB1(F B)

See Also

Reference

Preprocessor Operators