TITLE: The evils of macros

[ Material taken from "C++ Programming Language", Version 2, by Bjarne
  Stroustrup, section 4.7 ]


   [Macros] are very important in C but have far fewer uses in C++.  The
   first rule is: Don't use them if you don't have to. It has been
   observed that almost every macro demonstrates a flaw in the
   programming language, in the program, or in the programmer. Because
   they rearrange the program text before the compiler proper sees it,
   macros are also a major problem for programming tools, so when you use
   macros you should expect inferior service from tools such as
   debuggers, cross reference tools, and profiles. [...] 

   Using macros, you design your own private language; it will most likely
   be incomprehensible to others.  The const, inline and template mechanisms
   are intended as alternatives to many traditional uses of preprocessor
   constructs.