Feature
| Macros
| Functions
|
Definition
| Defined using #define
| Defined using the return_type function_name(parameters) syntax
|
Compilation
| Processed by the preprocessor before compilation
| Processed by the compiler during compilation
|
Substitution
| Performs textual substitution
| Executes a block of code
|
Evaluation
| Substituted as-is, no type checking
| Type-checked with arguments evaluated at runtime
|
Arguments
| Arguments are not evaluated; they are substituted directly into the code
| Arguments are evaluated before function call
|
Performance
| Inline expansion can be faster but may increase code size
| Function call overhead can be higher but usually provides better optimization
|
Debugging
| Can be harder to debug as macros are expanded by the preprocessor
| Easier to debug with stack traces and function names
|
Side Effects
| Can lead to unexpected results if arguments have side effects
| Side effects are controlled within function scope
|
Overloading
| Not supported; each macro must have a unique name
| Function overloading (in C++) allows multiple functions with the same name but different signatures
|
Recursion
| Not directly supported; requires creative use of macros
| Supported with standard function call mechanisms
|
Memory
| No memory management involved; code size can increase
| Memory managed via stack; can have local variables and return values
|
